Gérard Depardieu & Élisabeth Guignot: A Decade of Separation Before the Final Split

What Happened

Gérard Depardieu, France's most prolific and internationally recognized actor with over 200 film credits, married aspiring actress Élisabeth Guignot in 1970 when both were studying at the Théâtre National Populaire. They had two children together: Guillaume Depardieu (1971-2008), who became an actor before his tragic early death, and Julie Depardieu (born 1973), who became a César Award-winning actress. For two decades, they were one of France's most established couples.

The marriage began to unravel in the late 1980s as Depardieu's fame — and reputation for excess — grew exponentially. He was known for his prodigious appetites: food, wine, women, and work in seemingly limitless quantities. The couple separated informally in the early 1990s, with Depardieu beginning a long relationship with actress Carole Bouquet. However, neither party initiated formal divorce proceedings for years.

Formal divorce proceedings finally began around 2000, but the process was protracted and contentious. The divorce was not finalized until 2006 — roughly a decade after the actual separation. The settlement reportedly cost Depardieu €15 million, a substantial sum that reflected the long duration of the marriage, the enormous wealth Depardieu had accumulated during it, and the costs of prolonged legal proceedings.

The Depardieu divorce illustrates a common pattern in France and elsewhere: long periods of informal separation before formal divorce, during which assets continue to accumulate as marital property. This delay can dramatically increase the eventual settlement amount, as the non-filing spouse retains claims to assets generated during the separation period. Despite the contentious divorce, Élisabeth maintained her dignity and continued her career as an actress and acting teacher.

Legal Breakdown: Long separations before formal divorce and the cost of delayed proceedings

What This Means for Your Divorce