Catherine Laborde, Former Iconic TF1 Weather Presenter, Dies at 73

Catherine Laborde, a beloved figure in French television, has passed away at the age of 73. Since 2014, she had been battling Lewy body disease, a complex neurodegenerative condition with symptoms resembling both Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. Her family announced her death on January 28, stating that she passed away peacefully at her home on the Île d’Yeu, surrounded by loved ones.

“You left us so gently, silently, peacefully, in the home you cherished so much,” her sister Françoise Laborde shared in an emotional message posted on the social network X. She was surrounded by her daughters, Gabrièle and Pia, their father Jimmy, and her husband Thomas Stern in her final days.

A Remarkable Career and a Courageous Fight

Catherine Laborde became a household name as she presented the weather on TF1 for nearly 30 years, from 1988 to 2017. Her final broadcast on January 1, 2017, left a lasting impression as she bid an emotional farewell to viewers: “I take you with me. Will you forget me? I won’t forget you. I love you.”

In 2018, Laborde revealed she had been suffering from Lewy body disease for four years, a struggle she recounted in her book Trembler (Trembling). Together with her husband Thomas Stern, she co-authored Amour malade (Sick Love) in 2020, offering a poignant account of their life coping with the illness, which disrupts both body and mind.

A Multitalented Woman

Before becoming a prominent weather presenter, Catherine Laborde shone in theater and cinema. Trained at the Bordeaux Conservatory of Dramatic Arts, she began her stage career in the 1970s, appearing in plays like Louis-Ferdinand Céline’s L’Église. She also appeared in several films, including Cousin Cousine, I’ve Loved You So Long, and Croque la vie.

In addition to her acting and television career, Laborde was an accomplished author, publishing several books, some of which boldly explored topics such as infidelity and libertinism.

Widespread Tributes

The TF1 group paid tribute to Catherine Laborde, describing her as “one of the iconic faces of French weather forecasting, admired for her expertise, kindness, and joie de vivre.” Météo-France also honored her, saying, “For nearly three decades, she was a daily presence in our lives, embodying the sunny side of weather reporting.”

Catherine Laborde’s passing marks the end of an exceptional journey, spanning television, the arts, and an inspiring display of resilience. Her gentle voice and warm smile will remain forever in the hearts of those who admired her.