Ariel Dombasley’s name appears in a series of documentaries about the Betancourt case

Because it was worth it… Documentary series The Betancourt affair. scandal among the richest woman in the world In three episodes, it returns to the state case that made headlines in the 2010s, but which first shocked the highest levels of government. Streaming on Netflix from Wednesday, November 8, it highlights archival footage but also plenty of key testimonies. In any case, many agreed to speak on camera. In particular, we find wealth manager Patrice de Maistre, journalists Raphael Baque (The world) and Edwi Plenell (Mediapart:), but also socialists like Ariel Domsbail.

“I was the one who made the connection between Lillian and François-Marie Banier”

The 65-year-old actress, wearing a red Japanese dress and sunglasses tucked into a thick blonde collar, spoke to an empty theater just 13 minutes into the documentary. And Ariel Dombasl confirms it. yes, he did allow a meeting between L’Oréal billionaire and heiress Liliane Betancourt and photographer Francois-Marie Banier in the late 1980s. “What happened was I was the one who made the connection between Lillian [Bettencourt] and François-Marie Bannier. I told him. “He’s a great photographer, full of spontaneity who takes pictures on the street and is a very funny artist. Get it, it will be great.”

At that time, François-Marie Bagnier had already photographed the whole of Paris. He is a socialite, frequents the very private circles of the Parisian elite, and is a recognized artist. “He had an amazing eye. His photos were very unique, and he sometimes looks at people quite fiercely, a bit burlesque, but talented,” commented Ariel Dombasle. As for Liliane Betancourt, she is a billionaire and the richest woman in France. The meeting of the duo is crucial. Since then, the heiress of L’Oréal and the photographer of the stars will never leave each other. Much to the dismay of Françoise Betancourt, who suspects François-Marie Banier of wanting to take advantage of her mother’s wealth.

During the interview, Ariel Dombasle stands up and says she has “talked too much”. But one of the two directors, Baptiste Etchegaray or Maxime Bonnet, tries to catch him in flight. He wants to ask her one last question. “I just wanted to know if Francoise has spoken to you yet about this matter today. Because actually we’d like to interview him. For now…” the man behind the camera starts awkwardly. Ariel Dombasle immediately added: “No, no… I’ll see him tomorrow… but he won’t want to be interviewed.” “Francois does not want to talk at all about this case, which bruised him so deeply and which was a slow and terrible poison,” continues the wife of Bernard-Henri Levy. He now really wants to forget all these diaries, all these writings, all this scandal, all this tragedy.

“Françoise Bettencourt never liked social life”

If Ariel Dombasley had already publicly sided with the Betancourts, we understand The Betancourt affair. scandal among the richest woman in the world that he played a central role in the fate of the richest family in France. Without him, would François-Marie Bagnier one day have entered the gate at 18 rue Delabordère in Neuilly-sur-Seine, home to the Betancourt mansion?

In this Netflix episode, we also learn that the bonds between Ariel Dombasley and Francoise Bettencourt are intact today. And this despite the scandal and their very different temperaments. Multiplying Englishness, the Franco-American artist describes her friend’s personality: rich and beautiful. He was quite a fierce man, he is. He is reserved, and very private life. And in that he is the complete opposite of Francois-Marie, who likes parties, who likes games, who likes a certain worldliness.”