Next August, it will already be thirty years since Michel Berger died. A book lifts the veil on the ultimate heart story of the popular singer, who died of a heart attack. While still officially married to France Gall, he had a passionate affair with Beatrice Grimm. How had they met?
It is Yves Bigot who tells behind the scenes. In reality, Michel Berger and Beatrice Grimm meet for the first time at a dinner given by the former boss of the NRJ station, in Paris, in 1990. At that time, the German model is notably known to have been the companion of Rod Stewart . But, in the middle of the crowd, they do not really calculate themselves. Then, in 1991, Michel Berger headed to Los Angeles to work on an Anglo-Saxon version of the cult musical starmania after working on his ultimate solo album, It doesn’t stand up. During the castings to find the interpreters, Beatrice Grimm presents herself, she who had chosen to put down her suitcases in Santa Barbara. “Beatrice immediately falls in love. Michel asks her to sing You’ve Got a Friend by James Taylor, accompanying him on the piano, and is also immediately caught up“, writes the biographer.
Very quickly, the professional relationship becomes passionate. Michel Berger multiplies the back and forth trips to Los Angeles, claiming work even if his relationship with France Gall is about to end; According to photographer Jean-Marie Périer, who had already confided in Yves Bigot, the couple had actually been separated for four years already. The relationship between Michel and Beatrice will continue around the world, during trips to New York or Egypt. Then the singer announced in 1992 to his wife and mother of his two children that he wanted a divorce. Despite everything, the family leaves like every summer for their home in Ramatuelle, for the holidays and, during a tennis match, Michel Berger dies at the age of only 44 by a heart attack. As for Beatrice, she will be erased from the picture by France for years…
Galaedition of Thursday, March 17, 2022.