Francoise Sagan

Date of Birth: June 21, 1935

Zodiac Sign: Cancer

Date of Death: September 24, 2004

Biography

Françoise Sagan was a renowned French playwright, novelist, and screenwriter who rose to international fame in the mid-20th century. Born as Françoise Quoirez, she adopted the pen name ‘Sagan’ from a character in Marcel Proust’s “In Search of Lost Time.” Sagan is best known for her debut novel “Bonjour Tristesse,” which she wrote at the young age of 18. The novel’s success catapulted her into the literary spotlight, and she continued to produce a prolific body of work that included plays, screenplays, and numerous novels. Her writing often explored themes of love, existential angst, and the complexities of human relationships. Sagan lived a life that was as dramatic as her literary creations, filled with personal highs and lows, including struggles with substance abuse and financial troubles. Despite these challenges, she remained a significant figure in French literature until her death in 2004.

5 Interesting Facts about Francoise Sagan

1. Françoise Sagan’s debut novel “Bonjour Tristesse” was published in 1954 when she was just 18 years old.

2. She was known for her extravagant lifestyle, which included fast cars, gambling, and parties.

3. Sagan was convicted of tax evasion in 2002 but was given a suspended sentence due to her poor health.

4. Her pen name ‘Sagan’ was inspired by a character from Marcel Proust’s “In Search of Lost Time.”

5. In addition to her literary career, Sagan also wrote screenplays and some notable works for the theater.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Francoise Sagan

1. “Art must take reality by surprise.”

2. “A dress makes no sense unless it inspires men to take it off of you.”

3. “Money may not buy happiness, but I’d rather cry in a Jaguar than on a bus.”

4. “A love affair based on jealousy is doomed from the start.”

5. “The one thing I regret is that I will never have time to read all the books I want to read.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At her peak, Françoise Sagan’s net worth was estimated to be around $10 million, largely due to the success of her books and plays, as well as her screenwriting projects.

Children

Françoise Sagan had one child, a son named Denis Westhoff, born in 1962. Denis is a writer and photographer who has been involved in managing his mother’s literary estate.