A French journalist and cartoonist who created provocative and humorous cartoons that sparked controversy and debate, often targeting extremism and religious fundamentalism.
Charb, born Stéphane Jean-Abel Michel Charbonnier, was a French satirical caricaturist and journalist who fearlessly tackled sensitive topics, including religion and politics. He was assassinated during the Charlie Hebdo shooting on January 7, 2015, becoming a martyr for freedom of speech and expression.
Born on August 21, 1967, in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine, Charb grew up in Pontoise, France. He discovered his talent for drawing in school and published his first drawings in Echo des collégiens at the age of 14. After studying at Lyce Camille Pissarro, Charb began working as a cartoonist in the late 1980s.
Charb's work included creating cartoons for the newspaper Les Nouvelles du Val-d'Oise and a magazine for the Utopia cinema in Saint-Ouen-l'Aumône. He later worked as a freelancer, contributing to L'Écho des savanes, Télérama, and L'Humanité. In 1992, he joined Charlie Hebdo, where he became the director of publication in 2009.
Charb's fearless satire and caricatures often targeted sensitive topics, including religion and politics. The publication of Muhammad cartoons in Charlie Hebdo led to death threats from extremist Muslims. From 2011, when the magazine was firebombed, Charb lived under police protection until his assassination in 2015.
Charb's assassination sparked widespread outrage and solidarity, with millions rallying in support of freedom of speech and expression. His legacy continues to inspire cartoonists, journalists, and satirists around the world, reminding us of the importance of courage in the face of adversity.
Charb's work embodied a strong commitment to satire and caricature as a means of social commentary. He believed in the power of humor and ridicule to challenge authority and spark critical thinking.
"I'd rather die on my feet than live on my knees." - Charb
This quote, often attributed to Charb, reflects his unwavering commitment to freedom of speech and expression, even in the face of death threats and violence.
92 Years Old
A Tunisian-French journalist and cartoonist, known for his provocative and humorous cartoons that tackled politics, social issues, and feminism, and was a prominent figure in French satire.
79 Years Old
A French economist and journalist who wrote about economics in an accessible way, making complex concepts understandable to a broad audience. He was also a columnist for Charlie Hebdo, a satirical magazine.
