Nelson Monfort, born on March 12, 1953, in Boulogne-Billancourt, is a prominent French sports journalist, television host, and interviewer. Known for his multilingual skills, particularly his English, Spanish, and Italian, Monfort has become a recognizable face in French sports broadcasting, particularly for his long-standing presence at France Télévisions since 1988.
Early Life and Education
Born to an American father and a Dutch mother, Nelson Monfort's upbringing fostered a natural aptitude for languages. His father was Colonel Nelson Montfort Senior, an aide to General Patton during the Battle of the Bulge. After completing his general education, he pursued a law degree followed by studies at Sciences Po Paris, specializing in international relations. He graduated in 1976. He then spent a year in San Francisco, USA, working in finance. This experience helped him perfect his English, but also made him realize that he was not made for this environment.
Beginnings as a Journalist
Upon his return to France, Nelson Monfort decided to pursue a career in journalism. His early career involved contributions to various publications, including Historia, Le Quotidien de Paris, Le Progrès, Le Figaro, Tennis Magazine, Montagne Magazine, and Le Journal du Dimanche. He later joined Europe 1 radio, where he hosted the "Tie Break" and "Green" shows from 1986 to 1987, focusing on tennis and golf.
Transition to Television
Nelson Monfort's television career began in 1987 on FR3 (later France 3), where he presented the show "Sports-Loisirs," which later became "Sports 3." A pivotal moment came with his interview of tennis champion Martina Navratilova. From 1989, France 3 also entrusted him with the program "L'Heure du Golf." In 1992, he became the interviewer for major sporting events, including the Barcelona Olympic Games, where he interviewed the legendary Carl Lewis.
A Staple at France Télévisions
In 1993, Nelson Monfort contributed to the launch of "Journal des Sports," which replaced "Sports 3" and was later renamed "Tout le Sport." He became a fixture at France Télévisions, covering major sporting events such as the Olympic Games, swimming, figure skating, athletics, tennis, and occasionally rugby.
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Style and Recognition
Monfort's distinctive style, characterized by his multilingual interviews and unique intonation, has made him one of France's most recognizable sports journalists. His language skills include English, Italian, and Spanish.
Beyond Sports: Game Shows and Radio
In 1999, France Télévisions offered Monfort the opportunity to host game shows, starting with "Jeux sans Frontières," co-hosted with Fabienne Egal for one season. In 2006, he co-hosted "Une Semaine Chrono" with Pierre Mathieu. From 2009, he co-hosted "Intervilles" with Philippe Candeloro. The duo later provided commentary on figure skating competitions, with Monfort's "bourgeois" style complementing Candeloro's more "popular" and uninhibited approach.
Alongside his television work, Monfort continued to be involved in radio. He hosted "Les Mélodies de Nelson" on Radio Classique, focusing on classical music. However, he was laid off in 2009 due to "economic reasons." He then joined Europe 1, working alongside Alexandre Delpérier on "Le Club Sport."
Stage Debut
In 2011, Nelson Monfort made his theater debut, acting alongside his daughter, Victoria Monfort, in the play "Nettoyage de Printemps," directed by Pierre Laur at the Théâtre du Gymnase.
Controversies
In 2011, Monfort faced accusations of "ménages" (improper dealings) by France Télévisions unions. He was alleged to have received money for collaborating with a website sponsored by the nuclear giant Areva. Journalists are prohibited from receiving compensation for activities that could be construed as advertising. Although Monfort denied any conflict of interest, France Télévisions suspended him from the air during the 2011 indoor athletics championships. After an investigation, the suspension was deemed sufficient, and he returned to the air on April 3, 2011.
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In 2012, during an interview with swimmer Ophélie-Cyrielle Etienne, who had just won a bronze medal, Monfort mentioned her recently deceased mother. The question was perceived as insensitive, and Monfort later apologized, stating, "If it seemed inappropriate, I regret it. Ophélie-Cyrielle is a young woman I like very much, and I believe she feels the same way about me. I felt she must have been thinking of her mother at that moment, and for me, it was a question full of heart."
Books and Publications
In 2000, Nelson Monfort published his biography, "Nelson Monfort hors antenne." In 2009, he released "C’est à vous, Nelson!" to coincide with his 20th Roland-Garros tournament. In 2013, he wrote a biography of Charles Trenet titled "Le Roman de Charles Trenet."
Personal Life
Nelson Monfort is married to Dominique, and they have two daughters: Isaure, born in 1984, and Victoria, born in 1989. Victoria is also a television presenter.
Retirement and Future Plans
Nelson Monfort bid farewell to Roland-Garros on June 9, 2024, following his retirement from France Télévisions. In September 2024, he joined Michel Drucker's show, "Vivement Dimanche." On January 10, 2025, he was announced as a contestant on the 14th season of "Danse avec les stars."
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