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Yann Arthus-Bertrand, born March 13, 1946 in Paris, is quite a character. Photographer, filmmaker, and environmental activist, he has managed to combine a passion for nature with deep commitment. Oh, and his age! Well, in 2026, he turns 80, still with that energy that commands respect.
What immediately strikes about him is that he comes from a family of jewelers; yes, luxury and precision in his blood. But he found his path high up, very high, by becoming a master of aerial photography. It’s crazy how that matches his obsession with the planet and nature.
Before becoming the star we know, Yann was a young film actor. I can’t tell you the surprise when he quit that to live among lions in a park in Kenya! He was 30 years old, this guy knows how to live his passions fully. It had to be something else than the actor’s life, right?
Ah, and obviously, you probably know his worldwide bestseller La Terre vue du ciel, released in 1999 and turned into a cult documentary in 2004. It’s a real landmark. His fortune today reflects this career that has taken millions of people into the sky, above the beauty and dramas of the Earth.
The origins and public identity of Yann Arthus-Bertrand, icon of ecology
In a Parisian house where the art of medals shone, Yann grew up surrounded by precious creations. But he preferred to capture nature rather than jewelry. This heritage gave him a sharp sense of detail, visible in each of his photos.
He presented himself to the world not only as a photographer, but also as a true activist. His commitment is embodied by GoodPlanet, a foundation he has chaired since 2005, to raise awareness and act against climate issues. This guy does things wholeheartedly.
Publicly, he is this astonishing mix of artist and activist, the man who sees the Earth on a grand scale, from its skies to its faces, and who wants to make us react. He doesn’t do things halfway, his work is vibrant and his influence huge in ecological debates.
His height? Well, if you picture a tall, passionate figure often flying over the planet, that’s kind of it. It’s not just a matter of physical stature, it’s his public identity that impresses.
Youth and first adventures that shape his unique perspective
Before fame, Yann was just a young man full of energy. At 17, he took his first steps as assistant director and film actor – yes, surprising! Then everything changed. He left cinema in 1967 to immerse himself in an animal park in France, an incredible immersion that cemented his connection to nature.
At 30, with his wife Anne, he went to live in Kenya. Imagine the wild life, the lions? He photographed them daily, learning to understand these giants… Yes, this was his real school. At the same time, he became a hot air balloon pilot, and there… he discovered the Earth from the sky, which would change his life.
This youth full of passion illuminates his entire later career, where art and ecology merge above landscapes that nobody had ever admired together so much. No doubt, he lived life at full speed.
An exceptional career between aerial shots and ecological commitments
Back in France in 1981, Yann published his first major book, Lions, where each image tells a story of wildlife. From there, his talent burst out in prestigious magazines, National Geographic, Paris Match, Géo… He was everywhere, with a camera in hand, often at altitude.
His fortune doesn’t come from glitter, but from hard work in various fields: photography, documentary filmmaking — remember Home, produced by Luc Besson, a true success with over 600 million viewers, incredible!
His emblematic series La Terre vue du ciel revolutionized aerial photography. More than 4 million copies sold, street exhibitions accessible to all, a true phenomenon. You see the planet with a loving but also critical gaze. He didn’t just show the beauty, he wanted to wake us up.
And then, there are his engaged films like Human or Woman, which highlight human stories, showing the richness and fragility of our world. Real food for thought for everyone, young and old.
Private life, intimate commitments, and anecdotes revealing the man behind the artist
Yann shares a long story with his wife Anne, his lifelong partner. Together, they experienced those incredible years in Kenya, then all the adventures around their passion, animals and the planet. It’s an alliance that has stood the test of time.
There are also his children, but we know Yann prefers to stay discreet, which makes him even more human. This guy is also a man of emotions, sometimes torn between his field commitment and the complexity of the world.
A striking anecdote? It is often said that one day he gave up his place in a helicopter to Daniel Balavoine, unfortunately deceased a little later in a crash. This story gave him, he says, a good lesson on the fragile balance of life.
These small intimate moments remind us that behind the grand pictures, there is a sensitive, very human man, committed to the fingertips.
Recent projects and inspiring collaborations to follow in 2026
In 2023 and beyond, Yann Arthus-Bertrand continues to surprise with an ambitious photographic project on France and its inhabitants, mixing demography and ecology. More than 30 studios will be set up to capture these precious moments. The scale of the project is impressive!
We also don’t forget his commitments with his foundation GoodPlanet, which remains a pillar for the environment. The ecology-dedicated place in Bois de Boulogne, Paris, welcomes tens of thousands of visitors each year, a real engine for awareness.
He is also working on the transformation of Chalet du Parc in Lyon, a local but symbolic project, reinforcing that action also means starting with one’s own corner of the planet. For a man his age, it’s amazing to see such intensity!
Finally, his recent documentaries like Legacy or Vivant continue to fuel the public debate, always in collaboration with other artists and scientists. A true ambassador of life, never giving up.
What to remember from Yann Arthus-Bertrand’s incredible journey 🌍
- 📷 A photographer passionate about nature and wildlife from a very young age.
- 👨👩👧 A discreet but present private life, married to Anne, partner in his adventures.
- 🎥 Director of major documentaries like Home or Human that marked history.
- 🌱 Founder of GoodPlanet, committed to fighting climate change.
- 📚 Author of La Terre vue du ciel, an emblematic worldwide bestseller.
- 🏞️ Bearer of recent ambitious projects mixing photography, demography, and ecology.
Frankly, his story is an invitation to look at the world differently, with eyes that see the beauty but also challenges. His work pushes you to become aware, without ever being moralizing, that’s not nothing.
So yes, he’s not perfect. His presence at some controversial events caused talk, that’s for sure. But he keeps his voice, his ideas, and above all his fight for the planet. Hats off to this man who managed to combine art and ecology with so much heart.
Come on, if you want to dive deeper into his universe, I strongly suggest exploring his official site, or taking a look at his Wikipedia page Wikipédia, to miss nothing.
And because we love videos showing the guy in action, directly on his YouTube channel, it will really give you an idea of his incredible energy.
