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At 79, Laurent Cabrol told Le Parisien he is far from the fortune many assume a long TV career brings. The former weather man and game show host spoke plainly about lost earnings, personal costs and the choices that reshaped his life.
From radio weather to national TV: the road that made his name
Cabrol began his media life as a weather presenter on Europe 1 and later on Antenne 2. Over decades he became a familiar face on French screens.
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- Shows that marked him: 1, 2, 3, Soleil; Des chiffres et des lettres; La Nuit des héros.
- He later moved to TF1, a decision that changed his profile and income.
How his finances looked at the end of his contract
After 35 years in the business, his relationship with TF1 ended abruptly in August 2021. He says the dismissal came with no farewell or extra compensation.
Known earnings and what they meant
- Téléshopping: about €10,000 per month at the end of his contract.
- Europe 1: roughly €6,000 per month when he left.
Those sums were respectable. But they did not create lasting financial security. Cabrol admits he still must watch his spending.
Personal expenses, family farm and costly divorces
Cabrol lives in the family farm in the Tarn. He has also kept a Paris property near the Trocadéro.
- Multiple divorces put pressure on his resources.
- He says he cannot afford to buy out his siblings’ shares of the farm.
He describes a lifestyle where money is measured and budgets are tight.
Regret over leaving Antenne 2 and the price of fame
Looking back, Cabrol regrets the switch from Antenne 2 to TF1. The move brought money, he says, but it cost him intangible things.
He felt he lost part of his identity after the transfer.
How image pressures affected him — the hair implant episode
Television executives once flagged his thinning hair as a potential problem. The reaction pushed him to take action.
- He was shown a photo of another presenter to make the point.
- To avoid baldness, he chose to have roughly 8,000 hair implants.
The procedure was part of adapting to an industry that prizes appearance.
