There was a time of mourning, now it’s time for accounts. The death of Bernard Tapie caused a wave of excitement throughout France on October 3, 2021. The country lost its inimitable “Nanard”, a controversial businessman, a politician who breaks the codes and a respected patriarch. Weeks passed and revelations followed tributes: his widow Dominique Tapie is ruined writing Paris Match in its edition of February 10, 2022, having to reimburse nearly 600 million euros. Their miraculous way of life since their marriage in 1987 seems so far away, she who must leave before the end of the month her accommodation, a private mansion rue des Saint-Pères which will become the property of François Pinault for 80 million euros. In this sinister situation, she can count on a man: the unfailing friend of Bernard Tapie, the former minister Jean Louis Borloo.
In the long file of Paris Match devoted to Dominique Tapie and his dramatic financial situation, the golden life of the famous director of OM seems so far away. The yachts, private jets and other spectacular villas have flown away to make way for a widow who is facing the double pain: that of having lost the man of her life and of being covered in debt. In these moments, the friends of yesteryear move away but not all: one of them is still as faithful as ever, Jean-Louis Borloo. Without this guardian angel who rented him an apartment on the left bank, we read in the magazine, “Dominique Tapie would be without youyou”.
When announcing his death at the age of 78 from cancer, Jean-Louis Borloo said in a message sent to AFP: “What a final battle! Courage, strength, panache, surrounded by yours, the loves of your life, and despite those who, failing to have your face, your talent, your charisma, your generosity, your kindness, your humor, your flashes, have unfortunately stopped harassing you. Where you escaped, your honor washed by justice, you feel this explosion of affection and friendship which rises towards you from all the French hearths. Thank you Bernard, you are huge, you are out of the ordinary. See you soon my brother.“It was he who carried the coffin, along with a few other relatives, during his moving funeral in Paris.
While Bernard Tapie’s property is seized, Jean-Louis Borloo is therefore present for the Tapie and Dominique family. “You don’t let down a friend’s wife“, said the former minister and deputy in the pages of Paris Match. There are barely three weeks left for Sophie and Laurent’s mother and Nathalie and Stéphane’s mother-in-law to finish the boxes for the Cavoye mansion on rue des Saint-Pères in Paris. Because she did not even know that this prestigious place was sold… She was able to count on the support of the friend of the family, financial because he rents her a home, but also moral, when everyone collapsed.
Find the entire file of Paris Matchin the edition of February 10, 2022.