Maurice Herzog

Biographical information

RolesAdministrator
SexMale
Full nameMaurice André Raymond•Herzog
Used nameMaurice•Herzog
Born15 January 1919 in Lyon, Rhône (FRA)
Died13 December 2012 in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Hauts-de-Seine (FRA)
NOC France

Biography

Maurice Herzog was a French mountaineer best known for being part of the first expedition to climb Annapurna, in 1950, becoming the first group to summit an 8,000+ metre mountain. The feat was even more impressive as they did not use supplemental oxygen. He later wrote a best-selling book about the climb. The mountain would not be climbed again until 1970. Herzog became a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1970 and remained a member for 25 years, before ascending to honorary membership. He also served as the French Minister of Youth and Sport from 1958-66, and was the mayor of the alpine town of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (1968-77), site of the first Olympic Winter Games in 1924. Herzog was a Grand Officer of the Legion d’Honneur and was awarded the Croix de Guerre for his military service from 1939-45. A graduate of the French business school, HEC Paris, he served on several company boards, notably as Chairman of Triton France and President of Spi Batignolles International.

Organization roles

Role Organization Tenure NOC As
Member International Olympic Committee 1970—1994 FRA Maurice Herzog
Honorary International Olympic Committee 1995—2012 FRA Maurice Herzog

Special Notes