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So, Grégory Basso, you probably know him as Greg the Millionaire, an iconic figure in French reality TV who made his mark in his time. Born in Manosque on April 20, 1974, he is now 51 years old with a career that commands respect, full of ups and downs, just like in a good script.
This guy hasn’t always had an easy life. Before being in the spotlight, he had his share of tough times and even spent a few years behind bars. Can you imagine? The guy goes from a complicated past to becoming a small screen star; it’s quite a turnaround.
And beyond his reality TV stint, Grégory wears several hats. Actor, singer, entrepreneur… He tried quite a few things, some with more success than others. The story of a man who refuses to settle down, who’s searching for his path, and who has that little something you don’t always see in France.
Honestly, I wasn’t ready when I discovered all this. Because Greg is not just a familiar face. He’s a very human personality, with flaws, struggles, successes, and secrets revealed in a book that surprised more than one.
Who is really Grégory Basso, “Greg the Millionaire”?
Grégory Basso, known as Greg the Millionaire, exploded onto the scene in 2003 on TF1 thanks to that reality show where he played the role of a fake rich guy courted by several female contestants. A period that propelled him to the top but also revealed him to the public in a very different light than one might have imagined.
Born in the small town of Manosque in southeastern France, he grew up far from glamour, with a past marked by serious mistakes, including a conviction of more than four years for drug trafficking. Not the usual postcard image of a TV star, I know, but it’s part of the character.
And then, he has that authenticity that, even hesitating between light and shadow, you can’t help but have a soft spot for him. Afterwards, he explored the worlds of music, cinema, trying his luck on TV again and again, sometimes successfully, other times less so, but always with the will to get ahead.
In his autobiography “Ma véritable histoire,” he opens his heart and tells everything, without embellishment or lies. A courageous approach that earned him as much admiration as criticism but enriched his public identity.
Journey Before Fame and First Steps in the Entertainment World
When he was younger, Grégory surely wasn’t thinking about a TV career. He lived some rather rough years, without really solid bearings. You know, the kind of story where life seriously tests you before giving you a chance.
Before becoming Greg the Millionaire, he played small roles in films, notably in an erotic film in 2002, and managed a nightclub in the south. That’s already a form of ambition, a way to create his own path. It shows he never really gave up his dreams.
And the shadow of his past demons never quite leaves him; he has even spoken frankly about his drug problems and judicial mistakes. That’s for the real impressions, not a fairy tale. At that point, you might say that youth was really a dark period.
This contrast with the fame to come makes his story even more fascinating. This guy managed to bounce back from a complicated past to a life where he acts on the big screen, parties in Ibiza, and chains artistic projects. Not bad for someone who could have lost everything.
Career: From Reality TV to Music and Cinema, a Man with Many Faces
Greg the Millionaire was THE TV phenomenon of 2003. TF1 succeeded in turning him into a real face of reality TV, kind of the reluctant hero. He even said that France wasn’t always welcoming to his style, which is quite a harsh but realistic assessment.
Then he appeared in shows such as La Ferme Célébrités in 2010, where he finished third. He also ventured into singing, with songs like Sex Appeal and Baila lo, which were hits in New York and South Africa. Enough to amaze you with the range of his talents.
On the cinema side, his leading role in an episode of Métal Hurlant Chronicles alongside Rutger Hauer shows he didn’t confine himself to reality TV. He’s a true jack-of-all-trades, and frankly, it’s rare to see such consistency.
Finally, his project in Ibiza with a bar-restaurant was a great adventure, albeit short, revealing his taste for risk and his constant desire to explore new horizons. His status in the industry is modest, but his energy is enormous.
Private Life: Love, Family, and a New Life in La Réunion
On the love front, Grégory shared eleven years of life with Ornella Verrecchia, former Miss Île-de-France and runner-up Miss France. They have two children together and an extended family established in La Réunion, where they chose to settle for a quieter life.
Unfortunately, in November 2025, he announced their separation, which was a shock for his fans. You feel that at 51, he’s at a turning point, seeking a balance between public and private life. A punch, as you can imagine, when you’ve followed someone for a long time.
For now, life in La Réunion seems to be a refuge, especially after the recent cyclones on the island. He didn’t hide his distress, sharing his pain on social media, which makes his character even more human in my eyes.
One can say that although his fortune is not that of international superstars, it allows him to live comfortably and offer his children a different environment, far from the Parisian turmoil. A new page to write, truly.
Some Surprising Anecdotes and Recent Projects of Grégory Basso
Did you know he accused the production of La Ferme Célébrités of favoring another contestant? That always leaves a bitter taste, but well, that’s how it is in the world of reality TV, isn’t it?
He also tried his hand at music in unexpected parts of the world, like South Africa where he collaborated with a local group. Not bad for a guy thought to be limited to France.
Recently, in 2024, he participated in the show Les Apprentis Aventuriers on W9, proof that this gentleman continues to make headlines and stay active in the French media landscape.
If you want to follow his life more directly, his Instagram account is quite lively and genuine, a real logbook with his joys and struggles. It’s a bit different from the already heavily scripted TV.
- 🎤 Musical attempt in New York and South Africa
- 📺 Participation in several reality TV shows between 2003 and 2024
- 🎬 Leading role in a sci-fi series with Rutger Hauer
- 🌴 Opening of a restaurant in Ibiza
- 📚 Publication of an autobiography full of revelations
So there you have it, Grégory Basso is not just a story of TV and fortune. It’s a journey, a life with its highlights and wounds, reminding us that sometimes success doesn’t rhyme with perfection but with perseverance.
Despite his current age, he has kept that energy of a young man who always wants to fight and not go unnoticed. His path is a strange mix of light and shadow, and frankly, that’s what makes him endearing.
If you wonder what the future holds for him, you can bet on a few more surprises. He is far from having said his last word, between music, TV, and maybe other fields yet to explore.
A big figure in the French TV landscape who is one of those personalities watched with a mix of admiration and sometimes a hint of compassion, because, well, no one has a life all laid out.
Purepeople tells you more about his career and you can dive deeper on Wikipedia if you like to dig a bit more. For the latest news, his official Instagram is a good spot. Not to mention the fascinating reading on Yahoo Style or MSN for some unpublished anecdotes.
