In his new book titled Chaque pas est une leçon de vie, Jean-Marc Généreux opens up about his life journey and significant events that shaped him. The renowned figure from Danse avec les stars not only reflects on his experiences in the spotlight but also delves into the more painful episodes of his life, including the deaths of his parents.
Jean-Marc Généreux's father passed away in early 1997 while he was traveling for performances. "I wasn't able to return in time to say goodbye in person. He was already gone. I will regret that for the rest of my life," he writes in his book, as reported by Télé-Loisirs. His mother followed a few years later, dying at the age of 86 after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. "Mom suffered for nearly fifteen years. The last two years were very difficult. Towards the end, she could no longer remember us…" he recalls.
Généreux shares a poignant moment when he was in Florida for work and received a call from one of his sisters informing him that their mother was near death. He rushed home and arrived just in time. "Mom was surrounded by my brother and sisters. I took her hand and managed to whisper how much I loved her," he remembers. A sister later told him that their mother had waited for him before taking her last breath. "Because of the disease, she had forgotten us. But I’m sure that at the sound of my voice in her ear, at the touch of my hand in hers, she knew I was there. I felt the last beat of her heart fade away, then nothing; she had left us. My mother was such a strong woman. Strong in her convictions, strong in all her talents. She wanted me to be there, and that’s why she waited for me. I will forever keep her last heartbeat in my hand," he concludes.
Jean-Marc Généreux is not only a beloved figure on Danse avec les stars, where he has been a judge since 2011, but he also briefly left the TF1 program in 2020 to host Spectaculaire on France 2. However, he made a triumphant return to the dance competition in 2024, much to the delight of fans. Currently, he is participating in the show's 14th season, judging performances from celebrities like Florent Manaudou, Julie Zenatti, Adil Rami, and Claude Dartois.
On March 28, 2025, during the prime episode titled La bataille des juges, Généreux danced with contestants Lénie and Mayane, adding to their duos with Jordan Mouillerac and Christophe Licata. After his performances, Généreux was visibly emotional and shed tears. "This team is four diamonds. I wanted to frame them, to make them shine, and it’s they who made me shine. Thank you," he expressed.
A video message from his wife, France, and their children, Jean-Francis and Francesca, who suffers from Rett syndrome, was played during the show. "If Francesca could speak, she would tell you that you are a wonderful dad," his wife said, further moving the judge, who was comforted by his teammates Lénie, Jordan Mouillerac, Christophe Licata, and Mayane. Viewers were equally touched, with many taking to social media to praise Généreux's heartfelt display of emotion.
Messages flooded in on social media, highlighting Généreux's beautiful personality. "Jean-Marc, we often criticize you; you can be excessive sometimes, but when it comes to your daughter, your family, and people, you are extraordinary, filled with love, and in those moments, excess doesn’t exist," one user wrote. Another added, "You are the star, Jean-Marc; I have no words." Many viewers admitted to crying during Généreux's speech and the heartfelt message from his family. Others noted that he truly lives up to his last name, with comments like, "Jean-Marc is such a touching person, I love him so much" and "Jean-Marc embodies humanity. He has a big heart. A sincere person who does good." Overall, he received a perfect score for his personality!
Despite his public persona, Généreux's life has been marked by personal tragedies, including the disability of his daughter. In an interview with France Dimanche on March 24, 2025, he opened up about these difficult realities. He detailed the loss of one of his sons in 1996 and the subsequent discovery of their daughter Francesca's rare neurological condition, Rett syndrome, three years later.
In 1996, Généreux's wife, France, was expecting twins, but they learned that one of the fetuses had died in utero. "Losing that boy was a terrible suffering for both of us," he recounted. Two years later, France suffered a miscarriage, leaving them devastated once again. Francesca was born healthy but was diagnosed with Rett syndrome at 20 months old. Généreux expressed his devastation upon receiving the diagnosis: "It’s a heartbreaking experience to lose a child who is alive…" Currently, Francesca, now 26, continues to face challenges, including seizures, and requires special care.
Reflecting on the emotional toll, Généreux shared, "She talked, she won’t talk anymore; she walked, she won’t walk anymore. She is entering a deep regression." He revealed that Francesca sleeps in a padded bed surrounded by safety barriers to prevent injury. "I have never been the same guy since then," he concluded.
As Jean-Marc Généreux continues to shine on and off the dance floor, his story serves as a poignant reminder of the highs and lows of life, revealing the strength of a man who has faced tremendous loss yet remains a beacon of light for many.
