Margerie Christophede

Christophe de Margerie (1951–2014)

Christophe de Margerie was a French businessman who served as Chief Executive Officer of Total S.A. from 2007 until his death in 2014. Under his leadership, Total pursued a strategy centered on natural gas, LNG, and growth in emerging markets.

Basic bio

• Born: 6 August 1951
• Birthplace: Rabat, Morocco
• Nationality: French
• Death: 20 October 2014, Moscow, Russia

Career at Total

Joined Total early in his career and rose through the ranks to become CEO in 2007. As CEO, he steered the company through major global energy markets, expanding gas and LNG capacity, and pursuing large-scale projects in Africa, the Middle East, and Russia. He also emphasized a global, integrated approach to oil, gas, chemicals, and energy trading.

Key events

• 2014 death in Moscow in a private jet crash; the energy community and Total colleagues mourned his passing.
• Succession: Patrick Pouyanné appointed as his successor as CEO of Total S.A.

News & public visibility

During his tenure, Margerie was a prominent figure in European energy policy discussions, often appearing at industry conferences and in business media. Following his death, tributes from industry peers highlighted his role in shaping Total's strategy and European energy dialogue.

Public presence and social media

There are no widely recognized personal social media accounts for Christophe de Margerie. Corporate communications about him appear through Total S.A.'s official channels and legacy profiles. Obituary coverage and business analyses circulated in major outlets.

Projects and legacy

His leadership coincided with Total's emphasis on strengthening gas, LNG, and petrochemical investments, with a focus on international growth and diversification of energy sources. His legacy includes reinforcing Total's position in global energy markets and shaping the company's long-term strategy, especially in natural gas and chemistry.