Oscar-nominated 'Persepolis' author and artist Marjane Satrapi dies at 56

Marjane Satrapi, the acclaimed French-Iranian artist, filmmaker, and author of the graphic novel "Persepolis," has passed away at the age of 56 on June 4, 2026. Her family and close friends confirmed that she "died of sadness," approximately one year after the death of her beloved husband, Swedish producer Mattias Ripa.

Satrapi was widely celebrated for her autobiographical work "Persepolis," which chronicled her childhood in Iran during the Islamic Revolution and the Iran-Iraq War, and was later adapted into an Oscar-nominated animated film. She was a prominent voice for human rights, freedom of expression, and women's rights, consistently advocating against authoritarian rule.

Her passing has prompted an outpouring of tributes from across French politics and culture, with many recognizing her profound impact as an artist whose work conveyed a universal message and reshaped international perceptions of Iran.