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Gisele Pelicot Gives First TV Interviews as Memoir Nears Release, Two Years After France’s Shocking Rape Trial

Her open-court stance secured 51 convictions, reshaping France’s conversation on drug‑facilitated sexual assault.

Overview

  • On France 5, the 73-year-old said she plans to face her ex-husband in prison to ask, “Why did you do that?”, describing it as part of her healing.
  • Her memoir, A Hymn to Life: Shame Has to Change Sides, written with Judith Perrignon, publishes February 17 with a 22‑language rollout after excerpts ran in Le Monde.
  • Emma Thompson will narrate the English-language audiobook, and a U.S. edition is set for release, with Pelicot giving her first American TV interview to CBS Sunday Morning on February 15.
  • In the 2024 Avignon trial, 51 men were convicted for assaults recorded by Dominique Pelicot, who was sentenced to 20 years after drugging his wife and recruiting strangers online.
  • Investigators have charged Dominique in two re-opened cold cases from 1991 and 1999, and he faces an accusation from his daughter, which he denies, as Gisèle says she is rebuilding her life with a new partner.