Death of Patricia Coquatrix: the end of the legendary Olympia clan

Patricia Coquatrix was still a teenager when Bruno Coquatrix, her father, made his life's dream come true by purchasing the Olympia. Built in 1893 by Joseph Oller and dedicated to live entertainment, this room had fallen on hard times in the 1930s. It had been transformed into a cinema. Bruno Coquatrix, musician, lyricist and conductor, decides to reconnect with tradition.

On February 5, 1954, Lucienne Delyle and Aimé Barelli were the first headliners of an evening where the curtain was raised by a beginner who seemed destined for a great career, Gilbert Bécaud. On the facade of 28 Boulevard des Capucines, his name will be displayed 33 times with red letters that have inspired several generations of legendary artists. At 12, accompanying his father who was performing in a revue at the Théâtre des Capucines, Serge Lama discovered them from the sidewalk opposite. He then swears that one day he will sing at the Olympia.

Until the mid-1970s, Bruno Coquatrix established a formula that would prove successful: an evening composed of a curtain raiser, with a beginner, then an English star, that is to say an artist who is currently to prove himself, an American star, with an already strong name, attractions and, after the intermission, a 55 to 70 minute recital by Aznavour, Brel, Trenet, Brassens, Johnny Hallyday, Sylvie Vartan, Yves Montand, Michel Sardou and so many others. The first of a series of performances lasting two to three weeks, is a gala evening in the presence of all of Paris, where it is customary to come in a tuxedo and a long dress. Three hours later, the party ends in the Coquatrix apartment, on the top floor of the building, in front of a plate of pasta prepared by the owner.

The financial situation is not always easy to manage. On several occasions, she becomes critical. In 1960, bankruptcy was avoided thanks to Edith Piaf who, already ill, performed for three months to sold-out houses. The formula evolved in the mid-1970s, with concerts in two parts which were then called recitals.

After Bruno's death in 1979, Paulette, his wife, who had worked in the shadows since the opening, took over. She forms a trio with Jean-Michel Boris, their nephew, and Patricia. The adventure continues until the day when Société Générale, owner of the building, announces its intention to end the lease. The mobilization of several thousand artists in the form of a petition saved the Olympia. An agreement was reached so that an identical room would be built 80 meters away.

In 2001, Jean-Marie Messier, then head of Vivendi Universal, took out his checkbook and bought the whole thing. The change in continuity being assured, the Coquatrix withdraw with the feeling of duty accomplished. Paulette disappeared in 2018, Jean-Michel in 2020. Patricia died on Tuesday January 9 in Marrakech, surrounded by her family and her animals. Dogs that she had ended up preferring to mutts.