Didier Decoin, 1977 Goncourt Winner and Former Jury President, Dies at 81

Didier Decoin, the French writer and screenwriter who won the Prix Goncourt in 1977 and later presided over the Académie Goncourt, has died at the age of 81. The institution announced his death on Wednesday, paying tribute to him as "a novelist who had a high idea of language and literature, as his work testifies." Born into a cinematic family as the son of filmmaker Henri Decoin, Decoin received the prestigious literary award for his novel "John l'Enfer" in 1977. He served as president of the Académie Goncourt from 2020 to 2024. The announcement was made on August 5, 2026, with the news reported by RFI. Decoin's death marks the loss of a significant figure in French literature, whose contributions spanned both writing and screenwriting. The Académie's statement highlighted his dedication to the craft of writing. Further details are expected to be released.