Bernard Tapie.

Bernard Tapie was born in Paris, France, on January 26, 1943, as Bernard Roger Tapie. He grew up with his brother Jean Claude Tapie. Specific details about his early childhood are scarce, but his later career featured bold business moves and political ambition.

In 1990, Bernard Tapie acquired Adidas, which he owned until 1993. He specialized in turning around bankrupt companies. Tapie also owned the cycling team La Vie Claire, which won the Tour de France in 1985 and 1986. His football club Olympique de Marseille dominated French football, winning the league championship five times in a row from 1989 to 1992, and capturing the UEFA Champions League in 1993. Tapie entered politics and served as Minister of City Affairs in 1992-1993 under Prime Minister Pierre Bérégovoy. He appeared in films, notably playing Benoit Blanc in Men, Women: a User’s Manual 1996, and appeared frequently on French TV shows such as Champs-Elysées and Sacrée Soirée.

Bernard Tapie married twice: to Dominique Mialet Damianos and Michèle Layec. He had three children: Sophie Tapie, Laurent Tapie, and Stéphane Tapie. Tapie died from cancer in Paris on October 3, 2021, at age 78.

Bernard Tapie reshaped French business, sports, and politics. He received the European of the Year award. His ownership of Olympique de Marseille delivered the club its first UEFA Champions League title in 1993, a milestone for French football. Tapie’s aggressive business style and political career made him a polarizing but influential figure. He was a charismatic entrepreneur who transformed companies and brought glory to Marseille.