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Catherine Laborde, an iconic TF1 weather presenter, died this Tuesday, January 28, at the age of 73. After leaving generations of viewers with lasting memories, she passed away peacefully at her home on the Île d’Yeu, surrounded by loved ones. She had been living with Lewy body disease, a rare neurodegenerative disorder, since 2014.
A 28-Year Weather Career
Catherine Laborde joined TF1 in 1988. For 28 years, she delivered the weather forecast with warmth and charm, becoming a comforting presence for millions of French viewers. Her slightly hoarse voice and mischievous smile lit up screens, rain or shine. Her television career came to an end in 2017, when she took her final bow in an emotional last forecast.
In that final farewell, she said: “I’m leaving with the cold, with the weather, but also with all these memories you gave me. That confidence in myself that I miss so much. Will you forget me? I won’t forget you. I love you.” These words, full of sincerity, remain etched in people’s memories.
From The Stage To The Screen
Before becoming the queen of weather forecasts, Catherine Laborde was an actress. Born on May 8, 1951, in Bordeaux, she trained at the city’s Conservatory of Dramatic Arts after earning a master’s degree in English. She made her stage debut in the 1970s with L’Église by Louis-Ferdinand Céline.
She also made her mark in film, notably in Cousin, Cousine (1975) by Jean-Charles Tacchella, where she played a small role. Later, she appeared in several television series, such as The Maigret Chronicles. But it was with the weather that she found her true calling.
A Courageous Fight Against Illness
In 2014, Catherine Laborde learned that she had Lewy body disease. This condition combines symptoms of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, making diagnosis and treatment particularly complex. In 2018, she publicly revealed her illness in her book Trembling. In it, she shared her fight against this disabling condition, honestly describing the tremors, cognitive issues, and impact on her daily life.
Buy Trembling by Catherine Laborde now
Her husband, Thomas Stern, spoke several times about the growing difficulties she faced. In 2020, they published Sick with Love together, a moving book about their relationship upended by illness. “There were two of us: you and me; now there are three: you, me, and this damn disease,” she wrote, poetically summing up the illness’s impact on their relationship.
Buy Sick with Love by Catherine Laborde and Thomas Stern now
An Authentic And Inspiring Woman
Beyond her career, Catherine Laborde was a woman who dared to speak openly about her experiences and vulnerabilities. In her books, she addressed themes such as infidelity, love, and human relationships, without detours or taboos. She was also the mother of two daughters, Gabrielle and Pia, and found balance with her husband, despite the hardships.
Her loved ones and colleagues are today paying tribute to a warm, lively, deeply human woman. Her sister, Françoise Laborde, told AFP: “She left peacefully in that house she loved so much.”
An Unforgettable Legacy
Catherine Laborde will forever remain an icon of French television. Her sparkling personality and unique connection with viewers made her much more than just a weather presenter. She created a rare closeness, becoming a familiar and reassuring figure for many. As France mourns her passing, her memory continues to shine. Her courage in the face of illness, her natural elegance, and her humanity leave behind an indelible legacy. Thank you, Catherine, for all those shared moments.
“I’m taking you with me. Will you forget me? I won’t.”