
Matthieu Pigasse is a French entrepreneur and public figure. He is the founder of Altice, a multinational telecommunications company.
Pigasse has a strong background in business, having worked for several years at Rothschild. His experience in finance has been instrumental in shaping his entrepreneurial ventures.
As a public figure, Pigasse is known for his involvement in various philanthropic efforts, including the Fondation d'Entreprise Groupe SEB.
Early Life
Matthieu Pigasse was born on May 25, 1968, in Clichy near Paris.
Growing up in rural France, specifically in Normandy, had a significant impact on his life.
His father, Jean-Daniel Pigasse, was a journalist for La Manche libre, a fact that likely influenced his interest in the media industry.
Matthieu graduated from the prestigious Sciences Po and the École nationale d'administration.
These esteemed institutions provided him with a solid foundation for his future endeavors.
Career and Business
Matthieu Pigasse started his career in 1994 at the French Treasury, where he was in charge of the debt and cash management of the French State.
He later became an advisor in charge of financial and industrial affairs for the Ministry of the Economy, Finances and Industry under Minister Dominique Strauss-Kahn from 1998 to 1999.
Pigasse became a managing director at the investment bank Lazard in 2002, and was appointed Global head of Sovereign Advisory in 2003.
He worked on some of the most important sovereign debt restructurings in the last decade, including Iraq, Ecuador, Argentina, Cyprus, and Greece.
Some of his notable deals include advising on the $40bn merger of Suez and Gaz de France, and the L'Oréal buy-back of Nestlé shares.
He was appointed CEO of Lazard France in 2009, Vice Chairman of Lazard Europe in 2011, and Global head of Mergers & Acquisitions at Lazard in April 2015.
Here are some of Matthieu Pigasse's key roles in the media business:
- Co-owner of Le Monde, one of the main daily newspapers of France, since 2010
- Owner of the weekly magazine L’Obs since 2014
- Acquired the music magazine Les Inrockuptibles in 2009 and Radio Nova in 2015
- Shareholder in the French version of the Huffington Post, Melty Group, and Vice France
- Chairman of les Eurockéennes in Belfort, one of the largest rock festivals in Europe, since 2015
Financial Advisor Career
Matthieu Pigasse started his career in 1994 at the French Treasury, where he was in charge of the debt and cash management of the French State.
He worked under Minister Dominique Strauss-Kahn from 1998 to 1999, serving as an advisor in charge of financial and industrial affairs.
Pigasse then served as chief of staff to Finance Minister Laurent Fabius from 2000 to 2002.
In 2002, he became a managing director at the investment bank Lazard, where he worked on some of the most important sovereign debt restructurings in the last decade.
These included Iraq, Ecuador, Argentina, Cyprus, and Greece, showcasing his expertise in financial advisory services.
As Global head of Sovereign Advisory, Pigasse advised on deals such as the $40bn merger of Suez and Gaz de France, and the L’Oréal buy-back of Nestlé shares.
He also advised Caisse d'Epargne to acquire a stake in Lazard, demonstrating his ability to facilitate complex financial transactions.
Pigasse was appointed CEO of Lazard France in 2009, the Vice Chairman of Lazard Europe in 2011, and Global head of Mergers & Acquisitions at Lazard in April 2015.
Throughout his career, Pigasse has consistently demonstrated his expertise in financial advisory services, from debt restructuring to mergers and acquisitions.
Obsédé Par La Construction De Sa Vie

Matthieu Pigasse is a man obsessed with building his life's story. At 47 years old, he's a jack-of-all-trades with a long list of accomplishments.
He started at Banque Lazard in 2002 and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming Vice-President of Lazard Europe three years later. In 2009, he was also appointed Deputy General Manager of Lazard in France.
Pigasse's fingers are in many pies, including big financial deals like the sale of PSG to Colony Capital and the Suez-Gaz de France merger. He's also a media mogul, having bought the magazine Les Inrockuptibles in 2009 and later taking control of Le Monde with Xavier Niel and Pierre Bergé.
By the way, Pigasse comes from a family of journalists, which might explain his interest in the media world. He's clearly a man who likes to take risks and try new things.
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Public Image and Politics
Matthieu Pigasse's public image is closely tied to his involvement in politics. He's a long-time member of the Socialist Party.
Pigasse has been critical of certain policies, particularly those implemented by François Hollande in 2014. His book Éloge de l'anormalité criticized the global elites' inability to address the crisis and their reliance on austerity measures.
In May 2011, Pigasse organized a free concert to celebrate the 30th anniversary of François Mitterrand's election as President. This event showcased his ability to bring people together and promote cultural events.
Pigasse's stance on politics has been shaped by his experiences and observations.
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Sources
- https://www.forbes.com/forbes-life-magazine/2011/0509/life-in-full-lazard-france-casbah-le-monde-matthieu-pigasse.html
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthieu_Pigasse
- https://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-eco/le-banquier-d-affaires-matthieu-pigasse-appelle-a-voter-nouveau-front-populaire-20240620
- https://www.lejdd.fr/Politique/Qui-est-Matthieu-Pigasse-le-banquier-de-Montebourg-736656
- https://www.alumneye.fr/zoom-sur-matthieu-pigasse-le-che-guevara-de-la-finance-chez-lazard/
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