Michel Foucault.

Paul Michel Foucault

Michel Foucault — Academic

Born 15 Oct 1926 Poitiers, France

Died 25 Jun 1984 Paris, France

Citizenship France

Would Be 99 yr If Living

5 min read

Reading time

925

Words

Apr 30, 2026

Published

12

Film credits

227

Books

TL;DR

Michel Foucault, born on October 15, 1926 in Poitiers, France, was a writer and philosopher known for his theories on power and knowledge. He wrote the screenplay for the film Moi, Pierre Rivière 1976 and appeared in the documentary Foucault Against Himself 2014. Foucault died of AIDS on June 25, 1984 in Paris at age 57.

Identity & family.

KIN · 1

Names, aliases, and relatives of Michel Foucault — birth name, kin, and personal ties.

Birth Name Paul Michel Foucault

Aliases Michel Fouceault

PARENTS: Paul Foucault

At a glance.

STATS

Michel Foucault by the numbers — life, work, and family.

57 Years lived

12 Film credits

227 Books

Who was Michel Foucault?

BIOGRAPHY

Michel Foucault — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.

Early life

The son of Paul Foucault, Michel Foucault was born in 1926 in Poitiers, Vienne, France. He attended Lycée Henri-IV in Paris before entering the École Normale Supérieure, where he studied philosophy. He later completed his education at the University of Paris.

Career

Foucault wrote the screenplay for Moi, Pierre Rivière 1976, a reconstruction of a historical parricide. He contributed to Obliteration Systems 1979 and his ideas influenced The Lives of Infamous Men 2022. His philosophical writings on power and knowledge became central to structuralism and post-structuralism.

Personal life

Michel Foucault never married and had no known children. He was the son of Paul Foucault. His private life remained guarded, but he publicly protested for prisoners’ rights and against discrimination. He died of AIDS in Paris on June 25, 1984.

Legacy

The documentary Foucault Against Himself 2014 examines his life and ongoing influence. His theories on power, discourse, and knowledge remain foundational in sociology, history, and literary theory. Foucault challenged conventional understandings of how power operates in society.

Filmography.

FILMS · 12

Browse the complete filmography of Michel Foucault — every film, TV show, and documentary credit, ranked by popularity.

TV

Apostrophes

1975
Movie

Hervé Guibert, La Mort Propagande

2021
Movie

The Chomsky – Foucault Debate: on Human Nature

1971
Movie

Michel Foucault Par Lui-même

2003
Movie

Vincennes, L'université Perdue

2016
Movie

Michel Foucault: Knowledge and Power at SOAS and Beyond

2024
Movie

Michel Foucault: Beyond Good and Evil

1993

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Bibliography.

BOOKS · 227

Michel Foucault's bibliography — every authored, edited, and co-written book, ranked by edition count.

Amazon

L'histoire De La Sexualité, T.1

by Michel Foucault
Amazon

Naissance De La Clinique

by Michel Foucault
Amazon

Raymond Roussel

by Michel Foucault
Amazon

Les Mots Et Les Choses

by Michel Foucault
Amazon

Folie Et Déraison

by Michel Foucault
Amazon

Herculine Barbin, Dite Alexina B

by Herculine Barbin et al.
Amazon

L'histoire De La Sexualité, T.3

by Michel Foucault
Amazon

L'histoire De La Sexualité, T.4

by Michel Foucault
Amazon

Mots Et Les Choses

by Michel Foucault
Amazon

Folie Et Déraison – Histoire De La Folie

by Michel Foucault
Amazon

Maladie Mentale Et Psychologie

by Michel Foucault
Amazon

Ethics

by Michel Foucault
Amazon

Speech Begins After Death

by Michel Foucault et al.
Amazon

Power/knowledge

by Michel Foucault

Could not load more books.

Notable quotes.

QUOTES · 3

A wall of memorable lines from Michel Foucault — lyrics, interviews, and off-the-cuff remarks captured over a lifetime.

One Who Makes War to Win, Not Because It’s Just.
You Know the Difference Between a Real Science and a Pseudoscience? a Real Science Recognizes and Accepts Its Own History Without Feeling Attacked. When You Tell a Psychiatrist His Mental Institution Came from a Lazar House, He Becomes Infuriated.
Marxism Exists in 19Th Century Thought in the Same Way as a Fish Exists in Water; That Is, It Stops Breathing Anywhere Else.

Did you know?

FACTS · 1

Little-known facts about Michel Foucault — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.

A philosopher, writer, political activist, and literary critic, Foucault developed theories on the relationship between power and knowledge.

You wanted to know.

FAQ · 25

Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about Michel Foucault.

On what date was Michel Foucault born?

Michel Foucault was born on October 15, 1926. He was born in Poitiers, Vienne, France, to Paul Foucault.
Where was Michel Foucault born?

Michel Foucault was born in Poitiers, Vienne, France. He was born on October 15, 1926.
When did Michel Foucault die?

Michel Foucault died on June 25, 1984. He died in Paris, France at the age of 57.
How old was Michel Foucault when he died?

Michel Foucault was 57 years old when he died. He passed away on June 25, 1984 in Paris.
Where did Michel Foucault die?

Michel Foucault died in Paris, France. He died on June 25, 1984 from AIDS-related complications.
What caused Michel Foucault's death?

Michel Foucault died of AIDS. He passed away in Paris, France on June 25, 1984 at age 57.
What was Michel Foucault's birth name?

Michel Foucault’s birth name was Paul Michel Foucault. He was known professionally as Michel Foucault.
What was Michel Foucault's occupation?

Michel Foucault was a writer. He was also a philosopher, political activist, and literary critic.
What nationality was Michel Foucault?

Michel Foucault was French. He held French citizenship throughout his life.
What language did Michel Foucault speak?

Michel Foucault’s native language was French. He wrote and lectured primarily in French.
Who was Michel Foucault's father?

Michel Foucault’s father was Paul Foucault. He was born to Paul Foucault in Poitiers, France.
What schools did Michel Foucault attend?

Michel Foucault attended Lycée Henri-IV, the École Normale Supérieure, and the University of Paris. He studied philosophy and related fields.
What is Michel Foucault best known for?

Michel Foucault is known for his theories on power and knowledge. He also wrote the film Moi, Pierre Rivière 1976 and appears in the documentary Foucault Against Himself 2014.
Why is Michel Foucault sometimes called Michel Fouceault?

Michel Fouceault is an alternate spelling of his name, likely a typographical error. He is universally known as Michel Foucault.
What are some of Michel Foucault's famous works?

Michel Foucault is known for the films Moi, Pierre Rivière 1976, Obliteration Systems 1979, and The Lives of Infamous Men 2022. He also wrote philosophical texts on power and knowledge.
Which documentary features archival footage of Michel Foucault?

The documentary Foucault Against Himself 2014 features archival footage of Michel Foucault. He appears as himself.
In what year was the film Moi, Pierre Rivière released?

The film Moi, Pierre Rivière was released in 1976. Foucault wrote the screenplay based on a true crime story.
What political role did Michel Foucault have?

Michel Foucault was a political activist. He participated in protests and advocated for prisoners’ rights and social justice.
Did Michel Foucault appear in any movies?

Yes, Michel Foucault appeared as himself archive footage in the 2014 documentary Foucault Against Himself.
What is the legacy of Michel Foucault?

Michel Foucault’s legacy includes his influence on philosophy, sociology, and literary theory. His ideas on power and knowledge remain central to academic discourse.
How did Michel Foucault contribute to philosophy?

Michel Foucault contributed to philosophy by developing critical theories of power, knowledge, and discourse. His works challenged traditional notions of authority and social structures.
What was Michel Foucault's educational background?

Michel Foucault studied at Lycée Henri-IV, École Normale Supérieure, and the University of Paris. He focused on philosophy and psychology.
Which university did Michel Foucault attend?

Michel Foucault attended the École Normale Supérieure and the University of Paris. These institutions shaped his academic career.
What is the significance of the year 1976 for Michel Foucault?

In 1976, Foucault wrote the screenplay for Moi, Pierre Rivière, a film based on a historical case of parricide. This marked a key intersection of his philosophical ideas with cinema.
What is the name of the film based on Foucault's writing?

The film Moi, Pierre Rivière is based on Foucault’s writing. He wrote the screenplay for this 1976 film.

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Sophia has 4 years of editorial experience and a habit of becoming the person any team leans on when they need to know where something stands. At Famousy, she manages the content pipeline, coordinates reviews, and handles the detail work that keeps a large editorial operation from falling apart. She reads a lot of profiles in the process and she's developed a sharp instinct for when something doesn't feel right. She flags it. It usually is.

Published on April 30, 2026

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