French billionaire Pierre-Édouard Sterin, known for his conservative views and growing interest in the media world, is part of a group set to acquire the right-wing weekly ‘Valeurs Actuelles’.
The consortium behind the deal confirmed the agreement on Friday.
The move underscores the growing competition among wealthy business leaders seeking to shape the French media landscape, particularly with an eye on the 2027 presidential election.
Sterin, who previously attempted to buy the Lagardère media group, is following in the footsteps of other billionaires who have already secured influential outlets. Control of major TV stations and newspapers is seen as a powerful lever in a political climate increasingly divided between the far-left and far-right.
According to a statement from the buyers’ consortium, the staff of ‘Valeurs Actuelles’ were informed on Friday about the takeover led by entrepreneurs Benjamin La Combe and Pierre-Édouard Sterin, along with the Caude family. The financial details of the transaction have not been made public.
Sterin now joins the ranks of media heavyweights like Vincent Bolloré—whose Vivendi empire includes CNews and Canal+—and Bernard Arnault, the LVMH chief who owns the business daily 'Les Échos'. Photo by sudouest.fr
