Catherine Laborde, a veteran weather presenter beloved by generations on the French-language network TF1, died on Tuesday. She was 73.
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Laborde passed away due to Lewy body dementia, a severe neurodegenerative disease, per the French-language outlet Le Monde. Laborde’s family confirmed her passing, stating that she died peacefully at her beloved home on Île d’Yeu, where she spent her final moments in comfort and peace.
Françoise Laborde, Catherine’s sister and a journalist, offered heartfelt reflections on the final days before Catherine’s passing, writing: “You left peacefully at your home on the Île d’Yeu, which you loved so much.”
For almost 30 years, Catherine Laborde was the familiar face of weather reporting on TF1, watched by millions across France. Her warm voice and bright personality made her a household name, loved by viewers and respected by colleagues alike.
L'émouvant hommage à Catherine Laborde en ouverture de l'émission "Le Grand Concours" sur TF1. #LGC pic.twitter.com/8uCmHEyrOc
— NEWS TV RÉAL (@NewsTVReal) January 28, 2025
She officially left programming on Jan. 1, 2017, delivering her final weather bulletin.
“I carry you with me. Will you forget me? I won’t forget you. I love you,” an emotional Laborde said on air.
Catherine Laborde Lived with Lewy Body Dementia Since 2014
However, her viewers didn’t realize at the time that this heartfelt goodbye was connected to the health challenges she had been facing.
Laborde was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia around 2014, a condition that progressively impaired her ability to communicate. In interviews, Françoise Laborde discussed the challenges, noting how Catherine’s unpredictable health made communication more difficult over time.
“There were moments of confusion, but Catherine was able to share moments of clarity and connection with us, gifts we cherished,” she explained, per The Pinnacle Gazette.
Lewy body dementia, like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, is difficult to diagnose and treat.
Françoise also reflected on the profound beauty of the memories they created together in the days leading up to her sister’s passing.
“We listened to music and talked about our childhood—she was happy,” she recalled.
Following her passing, heartfelt tributes from public figures and fans alike began to flood in.
“Through the storms and even sometimes the dramas, Catherine Laborde embodied permanence and light,” French President Emmanuel Macron said in a tribute.
“Catherine Laborde, we will not forget you,” one fan wrote on X, echoing Laborde’s final broadcast.