Catherine Baudelaire
Catherine Baudelaire | |
|---|---|
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| Born | 31 December 1957 Lænas, Free Territories |
| Nationality | Gylian |
| Alma mater | Anca Déuréy University |
| Occupation |
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| Known for | Founder of Radix and Polaris |
| Net worth |  Ŧ8 billion (2020) |
Catherine Baudelaire (Gylic transcription: Kaþrin Bodler; born 31 December 1957) is a Gylian writer, journalist, and media proprietor. She is the founder of Radix magazine and Polaris, Gylias' first satellite radio station.
Early life
Catherine Baudelaire was born on 31 December 1957 in Lænas. Her parents were French volunteers in the People's Army. She has two younger siblings, Émeric (b. 1959) and Coralie (b. 1960), with whom she's collaborated in her media career.
She learned French as her first language and was educated in her hometown. She was a member of her local scouting organisation in childhood. An avid reader, she became interested in writing in secondary school.
She attended Anca Déuréy University from 1976 to 1981, where she studied literature and began writing for the student publication.
Career
Catherine became a journalist after graduation, working first at The Aðnat Bulletin. She enjoyed her work and became one of the Bulletin's main Francophone contributors.
While working at the newspaper, she read more about acid communism and became interested in the interaction between revolutionary politics and popular culture. She developed the idea of a new publication that would cover radical politics, without a specific viewpoint.
Radix
Inspired by the newly-founded L'Actualité, Catherine amicably left The Aðnat Bulletin in 1984 and founded Radix. She chose the intersection of political radicalism and popular culture as the magazine's main focus.
The magazine grew steadily, and by the 1990s had achieved a wide audience and national success. Catherine contributed features, and as editor-in-chief, became known for her ability to attract established and new talents to the magazine.
She insisted on accessible language to emphasise that Radix was aimed at a general audience, encouraged the development of the magazine's humour and in-jokes, and steered it towards a sophisticated graphics style influenced by L'Petit Écho and Silhouette.
She stepped down as editor-in-chief in 2000, but remains a staff writer and member of the Radix Management Board.
Polaris
Catherine set up Polaris, the first Gylian satellite radio station, in 1990. She adopted an innovative concept for the station: its broadcasts were structured around a 24-hour tide table, featuring high-quality digital recordings of biomusic (particularly ocean sounds), ambient music, space music and psychedelia, and experimental and eclectic programming.
To cover the costs of an independent satellite radio station, she sought out donations from other wealthy Gylians, receiving investments from Agathe Sanna, Kanna Miyashita, Marie-Agnès Delaunay, Asuka, Kaede Nakano, and Saira Telyn among others.
Polaris became recognised for its unique concept and experimental transmissions, and gained a cult following. As a result of the station's success, Catherine was brought in as a consultant for Gyldiv during the development of the Satellaview.
Other ventures
Catherine is one of Gylias' richest media figures, with an estimated net worth of Ŧ8 billion. She is a participant in the Social Partnership Program and has donated extensively to philanthropic endeavours and charities.
She is a supporter of the francité movement and a member of OMFLG and ACFEN.
Personal life
Baudelaire married Claude Houde in 1988. The couple have three children: twins Sylvie and Liliane (b. 1988), and Marius (b. 1990). The family has residences in Lænas, Mişeyáke, and Tavis.
She is close friends with Marie-Agnès Delaunay — a fellow famous Franco-Gylian media proprietor with a distinctive public image — and Jeanette Moitessier.
She is mainly a practitioner of Gaulish polytheism, Concordianism, and Kisekidō.
Politically, she has expressed preferences for the Independent Regional Alliance for Minorities, Urban Movement, and People's Party for a Flourishing Nightlife, describing the latter as "closest in spirit" to Radix.