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The Enduring Legacy: 5 Things You Didn't Know About Philippe Pozzo Di Borgo And Abdel Sellou's Friendship After 'The Intouchables'

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The extraordinary and unlikely friendship between French aristocrat Philippe Pozzo di Borgo and his Algerian caregiver Abdel Sellou captivated the world, becoming the subject of the global box-office hit The Intouchables. This true story of two men from radically different worlds finding a profound connection remains one of the most powerful modern narratives of human connection and resilience.

As of December 2025, the story has taken a poignant turn with the passing of Philippe Pozzo di Borgo in June 2023. His death has brought renewed attention to their remarkable bond and raised a crucial question for fans: What happened to Abdel Sellou, the charismatic former aide, and how has he carried on the legacy of their transformative friendship? This article delves into the latest updates, the full biographies of both men, and the enduring impact of their story on disability and caregiving.

The True Biographies: Philippe Pozzo di Borgo and Abdel Sellou

The film adaptation, while celebrating their bond, necessarily fictionalized some details. The true biographies of both Philippe and Abdel reveal lives marked by privilege, tragedy, crime, and, ultimately, redemption through friendship.

Philippe Pozzo di Borgo (1951–2023)

  • Full Name: Philippe Pozzo di Borgo.
  • Born: February 14, 1951, in Paris, France.
  • Died: June 1, 2023, in Marrakesh, Morocco, at the age of 72.
  • Background: A French count and scion of an old Corsican noble family. He was a successful businessman, notably serving as the director of the champagne house Pommery.
  • Tragedy: In 1993, a paragliding accident in the French Alps left him quadriplegic, paralyzed from the neck down.
  • Memoir: He chronicled his life and his relationship with Sellou in the 2001 memoir Le Second Souffle (translated as A Second Wind).
  • Later Life: After the death of his first wife, Béatrice, he married Khadija, with whom he had two daughters. He lived a quiet life in Essaouira, Morocco.

Abdel Sellou

  • Full Name: Abdel Yasmin Sellou.
  • Background: An Algerian immigrant from the slums of Paris, Sellou was an ex-con who had a history of petty crime before applying for the caregiver job.
  • The Job: He initially only sought the job to receive a signature for his unemployment benefits, displaying a raw, unconventional attitude that Philippe found refreshing and necessary.
  • Memoir: He later wrote his own account of their time together, titled You Changed My Life (or The Upside, a title shared with the American film remake).
  • Current Status: Sellou now lives in Algeria with his wife and three children, where he runs a chicken farm. He maintained a close relationship with Philippe until his death.

The Intouchables: From Memoir to Global Phenomenon

The story of Philippe and Abdel's friendship gained international recognition after the release of the 2011 French film The Intouchables (French: Intouchables). Starring François Cluzet as Philippe and Omar Sy as Driss (the fictionalized version of Abdel), the movie became the most profitable French film in history, resonating with audiences worldwide due to its blend of humor, drama, and heartfelt authenticity.

The film's success was a testament to the universal themes in the men's real-life story: overcoming prejudice, the power of laughter, and the transformative nature of genuine connection. The movie highlighted how Abdel’s lack of pity and his direct, often inappropriate, humor was exactly what Philippe needed to escape the suffocating sense of despair that often accompanies quadriplegia.

The film's impact led to several remakes, most notably the 2017 American version, The Upside, starring Bryan Cranston and Kevin Hart. However, the original story, rooted in the memoirs A Second Wind and You Changed My Life, remains the definitive account of their journey.

The Final Chapter: Philippe Pozzo di Borgo’s Death in 2023

The most significant and recent update to the story is the passing of Philippe Pozzo di Borgo on June 1, 2023, at the age of 72. His death occurred in Marrakesh, Morocco, where he had been living for many years with his second wife, Khadija, and their children.

Pozzo di Borgo’s legacy extends far beyond the film. He became a powerful advocate for disability rights and a spokesperson for the importance of human connection in the face of suffering. His final years were dedicated to promoting organizations focused on caregiving and social inclusion, such as Simon de Cyrène, which creates shared homes for people with disabilities.

Upon his death, the film's directors, Olivier Nakache and Éric Toledano, released a touching tribute, calling him a "courageous, dignified, humble, and militant man" and confirming that their relationship with him had remained close. Omar Sy, the actor who played Driss, also posted a heartfelt message, stating that Philippe was "forever in our hearts."

While Abdel Sellou did not release a high-profile public statement, the fact that he was noted to have remained close friends with Philippe until the end speaks volumes. Their bond was not a temporary arrangement for a book or a film; it was a lifelong, transformative friendship that transcended their vast differences in social class and background.

Where Is Abdel Sellou Now? Life After the Fame

The fame brought by The Intouchables and the subsequent remakes could have propelled Abdel Sellou into a life in the public eye, but he chose a different, quieter path. His current life is a testament to the stability and personal growth that his years with Philippe helped foster.

Abdel Sellou now resides in Algeria, his country of origin, where he is a family man. He is married and has three children. Most interestingly, he runs his own successful chicken farm, a stark contrast to his previous life of petty crime in the Parisian suburbs and his time as a high-society caregiver.

His decision to return to Algeria and build a stable life underscores the core message of their story: that true wealth is not measured in money or social standing, but in the quality of one's relationships and the ability to find purpose. The influence of Philippe Pozzo di Borgo clearly helped Abdel move from a life on the margins to one of responsibility and fulfillment.

The Enduring Topical Authority of Their Story

The story of Philippe Pozzo di Borgo and Abdel Sellou has secured its place in modern cultural history, impacting several key areas:

  • Disability Advocacy: Philippe’s work, particularly his involvement with organizations like Simon de Cyrène, continues to shape conversations around assisted living and the dignity of disabled persons.
  • Caregiving Dynamics: Their relationship challenged the traditional view of caregiving, demonstrating that a caregiver’s most valuable asset is often their humanity and willingness to treat the patient as an equal, not just a dependent.
  • Cross-Cultural Dialogue: The friendship between a wealthy French aristocrat and an Algerian immigrant became a powerful symbol of social and cultural reconciliation in France and beyond.

Even after Philippe’s passing, the legacy of their unlikely partnership, documented in their respective books and immortalized on screen, continues to inspire millions. It serves as a permanent reminder that empathy, humor, and a refusal to conform to societal expectations can forge the most powerful and life-changing bonds.

philippe pozzo di borgo and abdel sellou
philippe pozzo di borgo and abdel sellou

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