French-Iranian writer, illustrator and filmmaker Marjane Satrapi, best known worldwide for her groundbreaking graphic novel Persepolis, has reportedly died at the age of 56.
According to a statement shared by her family and reported by news agency AFP, Satrapi passed away “a little over a year” after the death of her husband, Swedish producer and filmmaker Mattias Ripa.
His death was said to have deeply affected the celebrated artist, who had often spoken about the emotional bond they shared.
Following the passing of her husband in April 2025, Satrapi was said to have struggled with grief while continuing to honour his memory.
She later founded the Mattias and Marjane Ripa-Satrapi Cinema Foundation, an initiative aimed at supporting foreign students who wish to study filmmaking in Paris.
In a heartfelt post shared after his death, she wrote: “For I have lost the love of my life.” Born in Rasht, Iran, in 1969 and raised in Tehran, Satrapi grew up during the turbulence of the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Her childhood experiences under strict social and political conditions later became the foundation of her most famous work, Persepolis.
The graphic novel, first published in French in 2000, chronicled her journey from childhood in Iran to adolescence in Europe after her parents sent her to Vienna at the age of 14.
The work was later compiled into a full volume and translated into over 30 languages, earning international awards and critical acclaim. With its bold black-and-white illustrations and deeply personal storytelling, Persepolis became a global reference point for understanding Iranian society, exile, and identity through the lens of memoir and art.
Beyond literature, Satrapi’s work reshaped how graphic novels were perceived, elevating them into a respected form of literary and cinematic expression. She was also known for her activism and cultural contributions, including initiatives supporting young filmmakers and cross-cultural exchange.
