Franz-Olivier Giesbert's American father was a painter andG.I. duringD-Day, and his mother, a philosophy teacher, was fromNormandy, France. After theSecond World War, his parents went to live inDelaware in the United States, where he was born.[4] At the age of nine, he discoveredNinety-Three byVictor Hugo in a library; he then avidly read all of Hugo's books and those ofHonoré de Balzac. At nine, he decided to become a writer and began writing essays,pastiches, and novels.[4]
In 1997, Giesbert hosted the cable television weekly literary programLe Gai Savoir (The Cheerful Knowledge) broadcast onParis Première.[8] In recognition for his work withLe Gai Savoir, he received thePrix Richelieu from the Defense of the French language association, which rewards journalists for the quality of their language.[9]
From 1998 to 2000, Giesbert was editorial director ofLe Figaro.[6][10]
Giesbert was chief executive officer ofLe Point from 2000 until 18 January 2014; he remained an adviser to the magazine, continuing to write editorials and articles.[11][12]
From 2012, he also hosted the monthly showLe Monde d'Après (The World After) featuring several guests discussing current news, broadcast onFrance 3.[15]
In 2013, he wrote the scenario of a documentary about his relationship with the formerpresident of France:Nicolas Sarkozy, secrets d'une présidence (Nicolas Sarkozy, secrets of a presidency).[16]
In May 2016, Giesbert was awarded the newly createdRécamier Prize for his novel,L'Arracheuse de dents (The puller of teeth).[17]
On 25 March 2023, he was awarded thePrix du livre politique (Political book prize) for his novel entitledHistoire intime de la Ve République: La belle époque (Intimate history of the Fifth Republic: The beautiful era).[18]
In 2021, the pedophile writerGabriel Matzneff described Giesbert as an unwavering support.[21] Giesbert was criticized byLaure Adler for complaining that people didn't speak French at the Marseille train station.[22]
^Delberghe, Michel (16 May 2000)."Franz-Olivier Giesbert quitte 'Le Figaro'" [Franz-Olivier Giesbert leaves 'Le Figaro'].Le Monde (in French).Archived from the original on 23 June 2023. Retrieved23 June 2023. [the journalist resigned from his position as editorial director, which he had held since September 1998.]
^Gibier, Henri (20 March 2015)."'FOG' entre les lignes" ['FOG' between the lines].Les Echos (in French).Archived from the original on 30 November 2021. Retrieved23 June 2023.
