William Leymergie, born February 4, 1947 in Libourne, France is a producer, host and television journalist, best known for his morning show “Télématin”, broadcast on the public channel France 2 and on TV5. The one who is rightly considered the dean of TV hosts spent most of his childhood in African countries. Alongside his father, an officer in the colonial army, he successively visited Senegal, Mali and Algeria. These 20 years away from the metropolis have not however prevented him from becoming one of the most famous and most followed contemporary animators. Neither the weight of age, nor the new forms of expression have got the better of the man who is now in his seventies. With his particular style, his teasing humor and his contagious joy, he was able to win an audience at a time when most people are reluctant to watch TV. But what are the salary and the fortune of this talented animator.
William Leymergie’s school life has not been a long calm river. Evolving through his father’s assignments in the French colonies in Africa, he attended different schools in different countries until obtaining his baccalaureate. After graduating, he moved to France in 1967 to continue his studies. He then enrolled in the Faculty of Letters at the University of Paris-Nanterre in order to learn the dramatic arts. At the same time as his literary studies, he enrolled in the Independent Conservatory of French Cinema to give free rein to one of his passions: cinema. This art, still in its infancy in France, aroused his curiosity and the young Leymergie dreamed, just like young people his age, of finding himself in the spotlight. A diligent and determined student, he obtained his bachelor’s degree in literature and succeeded in obtaining a diploma at the conservatory. His diplomas obtained, he is ready to embark on the active life.
Primary school in Dakar, Algiers and Bamako, the primary cycle of William Leymergie was particularly disrupted. Despite these successive trips, he has kept the guiding thread to stay focused and pass all his exams with flying colors. Far from having discouraged him, this journey of globe trotting has on the contrary forged the strong character that we know him. It actually takes determination to stay focused in such a set of hazards. However, this situation has not only had negative sides. Unlike other students who spent a very sedentary childhood, William Leymergie had the chance to visit an impressive number of cities in different places. He also traveled to a wide variety of countries, which undoubtedly helped to awaken his senses and his intelligence. All these situations contributed to make him what he is today.
The career of the man, who many years later would become one of the favorite animators of the French, began in 1970 at the end of his studies. He took his first steps with the audiovisual world at the Department of External Affairs and Cooperation, an organization which a few years later would become the RFI world radio station. In 1972, he joined the youth programs division, then was hired by France Inter. William Leymergie is then co-opted by TF1, which engages him in its writing. Between 1978 and 1984, he supervised for 6 years programs for young people on the public channel Antenne 2. During the same period, he served as a teacher at the National Audiovisual Institute. In 1979, he was entrusted with the reins of the Sunday program “Disney Sunday”, then those of “Récré A2”, in 1980. His hierarchical superiors then appointed him to be in charge of the newly created morning show, “Télématin”.
On the strength of his good results, he was promoted to producer of this same show. In the same interval, he acts as presenter of the 1 p.m. news and even manages to beat the TF1 news in terms of audience. A serious and determined worker, he was quickly noticed by the general public and won over more and more listeners. These will return it rather well, because the presenter receives a large number of distinctions in the process. In 1992, he was awarded the Media Prize of the Children’s Foundation, then that of the Association for the Defense of the French Language a year later in 1993. William Leymergie was also made Chevalier of the Legion of Honor and also Knight of the National Order of Merit. In 2008, he was awarded the insignia of Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters.
Like that of many TV hosts and men, William Leymergie’s salary has been the subject of the wildest speculation. Almost everything has been said about the salary of this host, who is not, however, a regular in controversy. The truth about this salary which is the object of all attention is that it does not exceed 5800 euros net per month. Really not enough to make so much ink and saliva flow. And besides, why should journalists and media men justify their salaries to people other than their employers? Most of the journalists whose salaries are offended work, let’s remember, for private channels. While it is true that their programs are intended for people of all conditions, including people of modest origins, they must not wallow in misery to please anyone.
It is only in France that we see people being moved by the salaries of public figures. And besides, what are these salaries really worth if we compare them to those of other countries like the United States? While presenters like Dr. Phil receive more than 6 million euros per month, the highest paid French presenters barely reach 50,000 euros per month, very ridiculous remuneration. But then why the revelation of the salary of media men causes such an outcry? To tell the truth, the true amateurs of French bashing are not the Anglo-Saxons, but indeed the French themselves. No one needs anyone to harm the development of the country. The people of this nation are already doing it very well. This attitude on the salaries of public figures should end at the risk of seriously harming the image of the country, as well as its inhabitants.
It would be a real mistake to believe that William Leymergie has a fortune. This man spent long years of his life distilling hope and joy to all who needed it, and believing that fortune is what guided him is a mistake. While it is true that the salary paid to him by his channel was necessary for him, money was never the main focus of William Leymergie. His activities as a host, producer and singer provide him with additional income, but not enough to build a fortune. This is due to the simple and good reason that the presenter sought above all to make himself useful to his contemporaries. He despises neither money nor the fortune that goes with it, but believes that this is nothing compared to the immense services he can render to others through his profession.
Far from dispersing his energies in order to reap the maximum amount of money, William Leymergie concentrated on what fascinated him. This state of mind is what justifies his extraordinary longevity at the head of this program which allows us to start our day on the right foot. His fortune is all these people, who fill up with good humor and energy every morning thanks to his show. This is the legacy he wants to leave to posterity. If he has never ceased during all these years to improve his program so that it corresponds to the expectations and concerns of his audience, it is above all for the sake of giving the best of himself. His viewers understood it well and gave it back to him rather well.
It is a pity that we can be offended by the salary of William Leymergie, which in reality is well below the immense talent of this animator. What are 5,800 euros actually worth compared to the millions of dollars earned by media men across the Atlantic? All these crazy rumors about a supposed fortune of the host are pure hoaxes. What fascinates this septuagenarian above all is the love of his work and not the lure of profit. These incessant controversies over the remuneration of TV hosts must stop, because they are far from honoring this nation which deserves better than presenters dragging the devil by the tail. The French should rather rejoice that their journalists, animators and producers are well paid, because they are one of the first showcases of this country. Indeed, their salaries and emoluments give an idea of the wealth and prestige of the country.