The emotion was palpable at the Coupole of the Père-Lachaise cemetery. Friends, family, and figures from the world of culture gathered for the funeral of Isabelle Mergault, who succumbed to lung cancer on March 20 after a secret battle. The ceremony saw close personalities of the creator of “Grosses Têtes,” including Laurent Ruquier – one of the few aware of her illness, Michèle Bernier, Christine Bravo, accompanied by her husband Stéphane Bachot, and former “Loft Story” contestant Steevy Boulay.
One of the most poignant moments of the morning was undoubtedly the speech given by Maya, her adopted daughter. With remarkable dignity, the teenager paid tribute to the woman who had taken her under her wing fifteen years ago. “My mother, she was kindness. She was a caring, welcoming woman, always listening. With her, I could say anything. I could share my life with her without filters, without fear. And even when I said nothing, she knew. She sensed when I wasn’t feeling well,” she declared during the ceremony. A painful moment for the young girl who, along with her younger sister Iris, found support from a man who was important in Isabelle Mergault’s life: Choukri Gabteni.
Choukri Gabteni: Isabelle Mergault’s ex had been very present before her death
Quiet during the ceremony, Choukri Gabteni, who stood by Maya and Iris throughout, was very present in the last months of Isabelle Mergault’s life. Christine Bravo revealed in an interview with Gala: “He’s a wonderful man she was very close to twenty years ago. He was with her even though they were no longer a couple. He stayed with her from morning to night for six months,” until her last breath at the Ambroise-Paré hospital in Neuilly-sur-Seine.
Choukri Gabteni, a professional actor, appeared in several notable films including La Haine by Mathieu Kassovitz and starred in two films directed by Isabelle Mergault, “Je vous trouve très beau” (2006) and “Enfin veuve” (2008). While they had drifted apart, they had not completely severed ties.
What future awaits Maya and Iris after the passing of Isabelle Mergault?
The future of Maya (17) and Iris (12) is now a primary concern. Although Isabelle Mergault joked with her best friend Jean-Louis Barcelona about marrying him so he could take care of them, the reality is more nuanced. Jean-Louis Barcelona himself clarified that it was just jokes, as he believed he did not have the suitable lifestyle to take on that responsibility.
However, the two young girls are not alone. Not only does the support network around them seem strong and well-organized, but as Jean-Louis Barcelona reminded, Maya and Iris also have their biological parents. A valuable support they will greatly need during this undoubtedly painful time.
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