Marjane Satrapi, the Iranian-French artist, director, and author of the acclaimed graphic novel *Persepolis*, has died at age 56. Her death was announced by the office of French President Emmanuel Macron on June 4, with no official cause given, though a close friend said she “died of sadness” following the death of her husband, Swedish producer Mattias Ripa, just over a year ago. Satrapi was best known for *Persepolis*, a graphic memoir about her childhood during the Islamic Revolution, which became an Oscar-nominated animated film and has been widely taught despite bans in Iran and censorship in some U.S. school districts. She also directed films such as *The Voices* and *Radioactive*, and in 2024 co-created the graphic essay collection *Woman, Life, Freedom* in response to the death of Mahsa Jina Amini.
Satrapi’s death marks the loss of a singular voice who used graphic novels and film to bring the realities of life under the Iranian regime to global audiences. Her work, especially *Persepolis*, remains a vital tool for understanding exile, displacement, and resistance, and has influenced countless readers and students. Her outspoken criticism of both the Iranian government and French foreign policy—including her refusal of the Legion d’Honneur in protest—underscored her lifelong commitment to human rights. Her legacy endures in the continued relevance of her art and activism.