Humanitarian of the Week: Catherine Deneuve

Known for her stunning beauty as well as her enormous talent, Catherine Deneuve has been dazzling audiences worldwide for decades. Launched into stardom in 1964 by her starring role in Jacques Demy’s gorgeous candy-colored Les Parapluies de Cherbourg, Deneuve went on to lend her talents to such notable films as The April Fools, Hustle, Les Desmoiselles de Rochefort, The Hunger and many others. Her work as a spokesperson for cosmetic companies and high-end designers has also kept her in the public eye.


However, Deneuve is more than just a pretty face. In 1994, she was appointed UNESCO Ambassador for the Safeguarding of Film Heritage. Very often, Catherine Deneuve requests that the salary she should be paid for her work is, instead, donated to charity. In 1989, when Deneuve served as the model for “Marianne”—the national symbol of France—she asked that her fee be donated to Amnesty International. She has also devoted her time, efforts and funds to The Climate Project, Children of Africa, Children Action and Pain without Borders. Similarly, she has crusaded to help put an end to AIDS and cancer.

Catherine Deneuve is the epitome of beauty and elegance—not because of her timeless looks, but because of her timeless efforts. For this reason, she is this week’s “Humanitarian of the Week.”

This is your last week to submit your nominations for “Humanitarian of the Year.” Voting will begin in December.