Perla Servan-Schreiber: “The day Jean-Louis died, I couldn’t really understand that he was no longer there”

Guest in the show “Conversations” of Madame FigaroPerla Servan-Schreiber spoke about the death of her husband Jean-Louis Servan-Schreiber in 2020. A difficult ordeal that the writer recounted in her new book Live after you. “This project was born from a diary that I kept the day after Jean-Louis’ death,” she confides. I wrote it for two years and then I put it aside.” A collaborator, who kept her texts, encouraged her to publish this essay. “I thought if this could help someone who was going through the same thing as me, it was worth a try.”

The author has now mourned, helped by her family and by her deep nature. “Luckily, I was born joyful, and this joy has always managed to pierce through the sorrow,” explains Perla Servan-Schreiber to Joseph Ghosn, deputy editorial director. At 82 years old, she feels more accomplished than ever, freed from all questions. “Life has become for me something simpler, which alternates between mysteries and miracles.”

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Living alone

Despite the years, the memory of the day her husband died remains intact for Perla Servan-Shreiber. “It took me a while to understand that he was dead,” she confided to Joseph Ghosn. I had absolutely no direct awareness of it. It’s very strange. I couldn’t really understand that he was no longer there.” Solitary by nature, she had gotten used to a daily life together, with her husband. After his death, it took him some time to regain the pleasure of isolation.

I still live with him. Because death prevents neither loving nor continuing to live with him

However, Perla Servan-Shreiber is never truly alone. During the show, she spoke of the constant presence of her husband at her side. “I have the joy of being married to this man for thirty-nine years now. I still live with him. Because death prevents neither one from loving nor continuing to live with him,” she explains. Before adding: “I find it great to be able to continue talking to him. So of course, he no longer answers me, but I know he is there.” Even if Jean-Louis Servan-Shreiber left six years ago, a part of him continues to live through his wife.