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Juliette Benzoni was born as Andrée-Marguerite-Juliette Mangin on 30 October 1920 in Paris, France. She spent all her childhood in Saint-Germain-des-Pres. She studied on the  d'Hulet University, then in the Institut Catholique philosophie, law and literature. After her education she married a doctor from Dijon Maurice Gallois, and was soon mother of two children. During that period of her life, she spent hours after hours in libraries, studying the history of Burgundy in Medieval times. One day she came across the legend of the "Orden of the golden Fleece" - which inspired her to the series of "Catherine" in the future. After the liberation of France, she lost her husband and decided to go to Morocco, to visit her deceased husband's relative.

She joined the editorial staff at a radio station called Radio-International. She then met an officer,
 

 whom she married. After her return to Paris, France, she launched into journalism -  writing for several newspapers, a number of historical articles.

In the beginning of the sixties, an editor who had seen her in an important TV show, asked her to write a historical romance. He wanted it to be in the style of Anne Golon's "Angelique". This is when Juliette Benzoni started to write "Catherine, Il suffit d'un amour (One love is enough) The first book was immediately a huge success and already ten foreign publisher had bought the rights to translate the book. Catherine has been translated into more than twenty languages.

Even the author herself could not understand what fascinated millions of readers, about the life of a young Bourgeoise from the fitfteenth century. Juliette Benzoni has touched the hearts of her readers, the way she added historical facts with the life of her heroine in a bygone time. The secret of success lies between Juliette Benzoni's ingenious way of writing and also her fictive characters. Be it the heroine Catherine, her faithful Sara or Gauthier - the arrogant and proud, but under his skin lovable Kings captain Arnaud de Montsalvy. Why else would readers pick up her "Catherine-series" and read them again and again - like having a dear friend - visiting after a long absent!

The "Catherine-series was probably intended to be a five book series - hence the epiloque in the fifth book. Which was published in 1968 and had the title "Catherine, et le temps d'aimer (Catherine and a time for love).

In 1968 film producers bought the right to bring the story to the movie audience.  Bernard Broderie who had already directed the very successul"Angelique" films, was to be the director of the bestseller "Il suffit d'un amour". Unfortunately, this time Monsieur Broderie or his producers, did a dreadful job. What was seen on the screen, had nothing whatsoever to do with the story of Juliette Benzoni's "Catherine!" It is no surprise that the movie, which was called "Catherine Il suffit d'amour" was a disaster and flopped in the movie-theater! It was not even seen on television as a rerun - which speaks for itself!

It must have been a great disappointment for Juliette Benzoni, to see her work torn to pieces!

After her great success with "Catherine" she never stopped writing. Her next series was called "Marianne" which dealt in the "Napoleonic period". Her readers loved the new heroine and remained her faithful admirers. For the observing reader, she mentioned along the way, twice her first heroine "Catherine " -
 

::. Marianne and the Privateer

::. Fiora and the King of France

During the writing on one of the " Marianne books", Madame Benzoni was asked if she would produce two more "Catherine" series - due to the fact of the sensationell success. She agreed and in 1973, five years after "Catherine and a time for love" - "Piège pour Catherine" ( A Snare for Catherine) was released. Faithfully her readers waited until the ultimate book "La Dame de Montsalvy" was published in 1979.

Inexplicably the last of the series, "La Dame de Montsalvy" was never translated into English! We cannot understand and do not know the motives for this reason - but it is a scandal. The English speaking reader's of "Catherine", never knew how the story of Catherine and Arnaud ended! We can only hope, that in the near future, the books will be released again and some editior will finally understand - that somehow it was "forgotten" to publish book number seven "The Lady of Montsalvy"!

Finally in 1986 French television Antenne 2, bestowed their viewers many happy hours with the TV-production of "Catherine, Il suffit d'un amour" directed by Marion Sarraut. This time Juliette Benzoni was more than satisfied - she worked hand in hand with Marion Sarraut and the overwhelming success tells its on tale.

Juliette Benzoni has written over seventy books, and her latest published book so far
 

was released in May 2010 to the great joy of millions of readers. We can only bow before this grande Dame - who will celebrate her 90th birthday this year and still amazes us with her brilliance!
She is an incomparable author and her historical books are absolutely accurate. Every tiny detail and character is thoroughly studied. Her heroine's are credible and lovable and the "real" personages seem to come alive and are not only a name in a history book anymore.

We wish Juliette Benzoni all the best and want to thank her, for all the happy and memorable hours she has given us during reading - and will still give to future readers of her fantastic books, be it historical romances or biographies.

Please keep on writing Juliette Benzoni, we adore you.