Antonine Maillet, Acadian Literary Icon and First Non-European Goncourt Winner, Dies at 95

The celebrated Canadian author, known for her works highlighting Acadian culture, passed away in Montreal on February 17, 2025.

Antonine Maillet, a pioneering Canadian author and the first non-European to win the prestigious Prix Goncourt in 1979, has died at age 95.
Maillet's acclaimed novel 'Pélagie-la-Charrette' depicted the struggles of Acadians during the Grand Dérangement, a historic deportation by British forces in the 18th century.
She authored over 40 works, including the notable play 'La Sagouine,' which celebrated Acadian dialect and culture and inspired a popular cultural site in New Brunswick.
In 2021, French President Emmanuel Macron honored Maillet as a Commander of the Legion of Honor for her contributions to literature and Francophone culture.
Tributes from global leaders and cultural figures have praised her enduring legacy in promoting Acadian heritage and the French language.