Catherine Laborde, the beloved former weather presenter for TF1, has passed away at the age of 73, leaving behind a legacy filled with warmth and connection. Known for her charismatic presence on air, Laborde succumbed to complications from Lewy Body Dementia, a neurodegenerative disease she fought against since her diagnosis in 2014. Her death, which occurred on January 28, 2025, coincidentally falls on the same date recognized internationally as World Lewy Body Dementia Day.
Born on May 8, 1951, Laborde joined TF1 as its weather presenter in 1988, where she became a household name. Over almost three decades, her presence brought sunny optimism to viewers, culminating with her final broadcast on January 1, 2017. During this poignant farewell, she declared, "You will forget me, but I will not forget you. I love you," poignantly encapsulating the strong bond she felt with her audience. At the time, she believed she was suffering from Parkinson's Disease; it wasn't until later she learned it was Lewy Body Dementia, which shares common symptoms with both Parkinson's and Alzheimer’s diseases.
Lewy Body Dementia affects various regions of the brain, resulting in cognitive impairment and motor function decline. According to France Alzheimer, approximately 250,000 individuals are afflicted with this disease across France, yet around 67% remain undiagnosed. Symptoms can include visual hallucinations, fluctuations between confusion and lucidity, and severe difficulty with tasks requiring multi-tasking and reasoning. Laborde herself recounted her struggle with memory loss, stating, "I have memory loss all the time. I just spoke to you, and I can't recall what I said half an hour ago. We don't know where we are, who we are." This personal account sheds light on the tragic nature of her illness and how it dimmed her brilliance over time.
The public and her colleagues have mourned her departure, with French President Emmanuel Macron expressing, "Through tempests and sometimes tragedies, Catherine Laborde embodied permanence, a reference point, often clarity." The sentiment repeated across various tributes echoes her impact on the lives of those who watched her throughout the years. Prime Minister François Bayrou fondly recalled their youth, referring to her as both "grace and life, fragility and enthusiasm," reflecting the affection and respect she garnered throughout her life.
Laborde's family also shared intimate moments from her last days. Her sister, Françoise Laborde, conveyed, "You left peacefully at your home on Île d'Yeu, where you cherished your last moments with us." These final days included significant episodes of clarity, allowing for meaningful connections even as her illness progressed. This fluctuation between moments of lucidity and confusion defines the harrowing nature of Lewy Body Dementia, as indicated by her husband, Thomas Stern. He mentioned her struggles as, “She has entered a phase where she has difficulty expressing herself... communication becomes extremely difficult.”
Numerous tributes poured upon her death on social media, with many sharing fond memories of her weather reports and the joy she brought. Météo-France acknowledged her as the "solar face of the weather," illustrating her importance as more than just a presenter, but as someone who made meteorological challenges relatable to the everyday citizen. Laborde's enriching career did not halt at weather reports; she went on to write two books detailing her experiences and battles with her illness: Trembler and Amour malade, the latter co-written with her husband, chronicling their shared struggles.
Regrettably, there remains no cure for Lewy Body Dementia, and treatment is limited to managing symptoms and maintaining quality of life. The average life expectancy following diagnosis ranges dramatically from two to twenty years. Catherine Laborde’s legacy lives on not just through her professional achievements but her courageous battles and the awareness she raised about her condition. Her impact radiated bright, akin to the sunny forecasts she delivered to countless households across France.
Date of death on January 28 coinciding with World Lewy Body Dementia Day serves as a stark reminder of the need for increased awareness and resources for those affected by this and similar neurodegenerative illnesses.