Évelyne Prouvost
French media proprietor and businesswoman (1939–2017)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Évelyne Prouvost (French pronunciation: [evlin pʁuvo]), also known as Évelyne Prouvost-Berry (16 April 1939 – 19 July 2017) was a French heiress and businesswoman. She was the chief executive of the Marie Claire Group, a publisher of 12 magazines in 30 countries, including Marie Claire.
- Arnold de Contades
- Nicholas Berry
Évelyne Prouvost | |
|---|---|
| Born | 16 April 1939 |
| Died | (aged 78) |
| Occupation | Businesswoman |
| Spouses |
|
| Children | 5, including Arnaud de Contades |
| Relatives | Jean Prouvost (grandfather) Michael Berry, Baron Hartwell (father-in-law) |
Early life
Évelyne Prouvost was the granddaughter of Jean Prouvost, the founder of Marie Claire and Paris Match as well as the owner of Le Figaro, RTL and Télé 7 Jours.[1][2][3] She had a sister, Marie-Laure, and a half-sister, Donatienne.[4]
Career
Prouvost began her career as an editor for Parents, one of her grandfather's magazine, at the age of 27.[4] In 1973, she launched the French version of Cosmopolitan in 1973.[2][3] In 1976, she purchased some of her grandfather's assets, including Marie Claire.[1][2][3] She founded the Marie Claire Group, a publisher of 12 magazines in 30 countries, including Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, Avantages, Famili, La Revue du vin de France, Stylist and 100 Idées.[1][2][3] Her magazines promoted left-leaning, feminist ideas.[4] Through the Marie Claire Group, she was also a shareholder of Téva, a French television station.[5]
Prouvost retired in 2004, but she retained 58% of Marie Claire Group.[1] She became a knight of the Legion of Honour in 2011.[6]
Personal life and death
Prouvost was married twice. She married Arnold de Contades at the age of 19.[7] They had three children,[4] including Arnaud de Contades.[1] She later married Nicholas Berry,[4] the son of Michael Berry, Baron Hartwell. She had five children in total.[4]
Prouvost was worth an estimated €125 million in 2016.[1]
Prouvost died of a bicycle fall in Le Palais on the island of Belle-Ile on 19 July 2017, at the age of 78.[1][2][3]