Biography
Who is Maurice Benguigui?
Early life and background
Maurice Benguigui was born on May 14, 1959, in Tlemcen, Algeria. His family background is Sephardic Jewish. After his parents separated in 1960, he was raised primarily by his mother. The two emigrated to France in June 1962, arriving shortly before Algeria achieved independence from French rule.
During his childhood in France, he lived in staff housing at a girls' school in Argenteuil where his mother worked as a teacher. As a young man, he initially hoped to become a football player. However, his career goals shifted in 1975 after he watched a performance by singer Michel Sardou.
Acting and musical success
Maurice found his first acting success in the 1979 film Le Coup de sirocco. Over the following decades, he balanced work in film, television, and theatre with his music career. While his debut single Vide in 1982 did not perform well, his follow-up track Marre de cette nana-là became a significant hit in France.
In 2002, he released the double CD titled Entre Deux. This collection featured classic chanson tracks and included collaborations with well-known artists such as Charles Aznavour, Jean-Jacques Goldman, and Alain Souchon. The album sold two million copies, making him the highest-paid singer in France that year. He later continued his musical output with the successful album Des souvenirs devant.
Professional poker career
Beyond his entertainment work, he established himself as a world-class professional poker player. In 1998, he secured a World Series of Poker bracelet by winning the $5,000 Limit Hold'em event. By 2009, his total tournament earnings exceeded $900,000, with over $400,000 coming from his ten cash winnings at the World Series of Poker.
His involvement in the poker world also extended to broadcasting. Starting in 2005, he began providing commentary for the World Poker Tour on the French television network Canal+.
Personal life and legal issues
He married the writer and playwright Amanda Sthers in 2004, having had their first child together the previous year. The couple had a second child in 2005 before separating in 2007. In the 2010s, he purchased a home in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles, which was destroyed by a fire in January 2025.
He has faced several legal challenges. In 2014, he was fined €10,000 for insulting police officers and causing injury during a demonstration. Beginning in 2020, he was the subject of investigations regarding allegations of sexual violence, which he has denied. In 2026, he was taken into custody following further allegations of attempted sexual assault and rape dating back to 1997. Following these proceedings, he was placed under judicial supervision and cancelled most of his public appearances. He was a long-time member of the Les Enfoirés charity ensemble, leaving the group in 2026.
Birthday and age
Maurice Benguigui was born on May 14, 1959, which makes Maurice 67 years old today. That birthday falls under the Taurus sign. Maurice shares the date with 35 other famous people.
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