Pierre Bergé has died at age 86 in his home in Saint- Rémy- de- Provence on September 8th 2017. Bergé had been suffering from a long illness. Throughout his life Bergé has remained an influential figure at Yves Saint Laurent fashion house which he founded in 1961 with his partner, Yves. In addition to his fashion influence he was deeply involved in other arts and cultural groups in France. In 1973 he was elected the Chambre Syndicale du Prêt-à-Porter Des Couturiers et des Créateurs de Mode and he founded the Institut Français de la Mode in 1986. He was also a very iconic voice for the gay rights and AIDS research, donating large sums to fight against the illness through the Fondation Pierre Bergé - Yves Saint Laurent.

Many tributes have ben made from the industries that Bergé was involved in, including one from current Saint Laurent creative director Anthony Vaccarello. “It is with a deep emotion that I have learned of Pierre Bergé’s passing, he welcomed me with kindness since my first day at Saint Laurent. His advice and his support have always guided me. I am infinitely sad that he will not be able to attend the opening of the two museums in Paris and Marrakech that he cared about so much. A great figure in french culture has left us.”