Michel Sardou Biography: Children, Height, Ethnicity, Age, Net Worth, Siblings, Parents, Lyrics, Wife

Michel Sardou is a multifaceted personality known for his work as a Singer, songwriter, and actor.

He emerged in the French music scene during the mid-1960s, gaining significant attention with his 1967 song “Les Ricains,” which expressed gratitude to the United States for its role in liberating France during World War II.

The song’s controversial nature, particularly its criticism of France’s withdrawal from NATO’s integrated military command, led to its censorship, paradoxically boosting Sardou’s profile.

Profile

• Full name: Michel Charles Sardou
• Date of birth: January 26, 1947
• Age: 78 years old
• Gender: Male
• Place of birth: Paris, France
• State of origin: Île-de-France
• Nationality: French
• Profession: Singer, songwriter, actor
• Height: 5′ 9″ (175 cm)
• Parents: Fernand Sardou (father), Jackie Sardou (mother)
• Siblings: None; he is an only child
• Spouse: Anne-Marie Périer (m. 1999–present), previously married to Elizabeth Haas (m. 1977–1999), and Françoise Pettré (m. 1965–1977)
• Children: Sandrine Sardou, Cynthia Sardou, Romain Sardou, Davy Sardou
• Relationship status: Married
• Religion: Roman Catholic
• Ethnicity: French, with Provençal and Parisian roots
• Net worth: €100 million

Early Life and Education

Michel Charles Sardou was born on January 26, 1947, in Paris, France, into a family deeply rooted in the performing arts. His father, Fernand Sardou, was a singer and actor, while his mother, Jackie Sardou, was an actress. His paternal grandfather, Valentin Sardou, was a comedian in Marseille, and his grandmother was a singer.

Sardou attended the Collège du Montcel, a private boarding school in Jouy-en-Josas, where he was contemporaries with individuals like Patrick Modiano and Jean-Michel Ribes. However, his academic performance was lacklustre, and he found the structured environment unappealing.

In 1964, at the age of 17, after passing the first part of his baccalaureate, he attempted to travel to Brazil with a friend to start a business venture but was intercepted at the airport by his father.

During the early 1960s, Sardou began performing in various cabarets in Montmartre, including his parents’ establishment, Chez Fernand Sardou. Concurrently, he took acting classes with Raymond Girard and later with Yves Furet, laying the foundation for his future career in entertainment.

Personal Life

Several significant relationships have marked Michel Sardou’s personal life. In 1965, he married Françoise Pettré, a dancer, and they had two daughters: Sandrine, born on January 15, 1970, and Cynthia, born on December 4, 1973. The couple divorced in 1977.

Later that year, in October 1977, Sardou married Elizabeth Haas, known as “Babette.” They had two sons: Romain, born on January 6, 1974, who became a writer, and Davy, born on June 1, 1978, who pursued a career in acting. This marriage ended in divorce in June 1999.

On October 11, 1999, Sardou married Anne-Marie Périer, the former editor-in-chief of Elle magazine and daughter of actor François Périer. Then-mayor Nicolas Sarkozy officiated their wedding in Neuilly-sur-Seine.

Career

Michel Sardou’s career began in 1965 with the release of “Le madras,” co-written with Michel Fugain and Patrice Laffont. His breakthrough came in 1967 with “Les Ricains,” a song that, despite being banned from state media, garnered significant attention.

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Sardou released numerous successful albums and singles, including “La Maladie d’Amour” (1973), “Le France” (1975), and “Les Lacs du Connemara” (1981). His music often addressed controversial topics such as colonialism, the death penalty, and women’s rights in Islamic countries.

In addition to his music career, Sardou ventured into acting, appearing in films such as “L’été de nos 15 ans” (1982) and “Cross” (1987), as well as various theatre productions. He also managed the Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin in Paris from 2001 to 2003.

In 2023, Sardou announced a farewell tour titled “Je me souviens d’un adieu,” which concluded in March 2024. Following the tour, he confirmed his retirement from the music and theatre industries.

Awards

• 1987: Victoires de la Musique – Best Song for “Musulmanes”
• 1990: Victoires de la Musique – Highest number of spectators at the end of a tour
• 1999: Victoires de la Musique – Highest number of spectators at the end of a tour

Net Worth

Michel Sardou‘s net worth is estimated to be approximately €100 million. His wealth primarily stems from his prolific music career, with over 50 million albums sold.

Controversy

Michel Sardou’s 1976 song “Le Temps des Colonies” was criticized for glorifying colonialism, though Sardou maintained it was intended as satire. Similarly, “Je suis pour” (1976), which expressed support for the death penalty, sparked significant debate in France, where the practice was abolished in 1981.

In 1986, Sardou released “Musulmanes,” a song that highlighted the oppression of women in Islamic countries. While some praised the song for bringing attention to women’s rights, others accused it of perpetuating stereotypes and being culturally insensitive.

Sardou’s political views have also drawn criticism. He has been labelled as conservative and accused of nationalism, particularly for songs like “Les Ricains,” which expressed strong pro-American sentiments during a time of anti-American sentiment in France.

Social Media

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Filmography

• 1982: L’été de nos 15 ans
• 1987: Cross
• 1990: Promotion canapé
• 1993: L’irlandaise (TV)
• 2003: Le prix de l’honneur (TV)

Discography

• Les Ricains (1967)
• Petit (1968)
• J’habite en France (1970)
• La Maladie d’Amour (1973)
• Le France (1975)
• Le Temps des Colonies (1976)
• Je suis pour (1976)
• Dix ans plus tôt (1977)
• En chantant (1978)
• Être une femme (1981)
• Les Lacs du Connemara (1981)
• Afrique Adieu (1982)
• Vladimir Ilitch (1983)
• Musulmanes (1986)
• La Rivière de notre enfance (duet with Garou, 1986–remastered)
• Marie-Jeanne (1990)
• Je viens du sud (1997)
• Un accident (1999)
• La dernière danse (2004)
• San Lorenzo (2004)
• Voler (duet with Céline Dion, 2010)
• Allons Danser (2012)