Before knowing Dominique, love of his life and mother of his children, Laurent and Sophie, Bernard Tapie lived a story with Michèle Layec. She was then the tycoon’s childhood sweetheart, who died at the age of 78 from double cancer on October 3, 2021, a year ago. Born in the 1950s, she met the illustrious businessman at the start of his career, when he was considering entering the music industry with the nickname Tapy. Michèle Layec was a reserved woman and discreet who intended to stay in the shadow of Bernard Tapie. Their relationship led them to marry on February 8, 1964 in Rosny-sur-Seine, and together they had two children: Nathalie (born in 1968) and Stéphane (born in 1969). But Did Michèle, who died suddenly since, and Dominique Tapie get along?
Bernard Tapie and Michèle Layec divorced after several years of marriage. And the one who died suddenly from leukemia, was far from being the enemy of Dominique Tapie, pillar of the clan. Those who both shared the life of the former president of OM were even became great friends and had linked a most sincere relationship. Unfortunately, it was not until shortly after her divorce from Bernard that Michèle Layec died. Bernard Tapie had already mentioned his relationship with his first wife, and mother of his two eldest, in particular about his repeated infidelities.
Repeated infidelities against Michèle, her childhood sweetheart
In 2010, while promoting his play Roller coastersthe former main shareholder of Provence then told the newspaper The Parisian : “Me, I never cheated on my wife [Dominique, NDLR]. It’s not a merit, it’s a chance: I found the person with whom I feel good. I’m excessive in everything: when I smoked, I smoked three packs a day. With my first wife, I was unfaithful at least three packages a day… So I went from that infidelity to zero.“On October 3, 2021, Bernard Tapie left us, leaving his family in difficult mourning. As for Dominique, the businessman’s widow must also face a catastrophic financial situation, being involved in the company of her husband, and as such having to repay the colossal debt of 600 million euros.She lives today on 800 euros a month, helped by her close friends and her children.