In brief
Madeleine Riffaud, known as 'the Girl Who Saved Paris,' passed away on November 6 at the age of 100. An iconic member of the French Resistance, Riffaud transformed humiliation into a fierce determination to fight against Nazi occupation. Her legacy includes surviving torture, capturing soldiers, and later becoming an anticolonial journalist.
Madeleine Riffaud, a celebrated hero of the French Resistance, passed away at the age of 100 at her home in Paris on November 6. Her passing was confirmed by her publisher, Dupuis. Riffaud is renowned for her remarkable transformation from a young woman humiliated by a Nazi officer into a formidable guerrilla fighter against Nazi occupation during World War II.Her journey into the resistance began in November 1940 when a German officer's violent dismissal sparked her resolve to fight back. “That moment decided my whole life,” she reflected in a 2006 interview. At just 17, Riffaud decided to seek out the resistance fighters in her country. “I’ll find the people who are fighting this, and I’ll join them,” she vowed.After connecting with the French Resistance while recovering from tuberculosis in Grenoble, Riffaud became actively involved in operations that included surviving torture for three weeks. Celebrating her 20th birthday, Riffaud participated in capturing 80 Nazis during an attack on an armored train and solidified her place in history as a courageous figure.In addition to her contributions during the war, Riffaud built a significant career as a poet and a journalist, advocating for anticolonial causes. Her life and work continue to inspire many, reflecting the spirit of resilience and activism against oppression.
