Analysis of Althusser’s murder of his wife, Hélène Legotien, highlighting femicide recognition and anti-feminist views.
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Der Standard - GER
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Hélène Rytmann-Legotien was murdered by her husband, philosopher Louis Althusser, in 1980; Althusser confessed immediately and was declared not criminally responsible due to manic depression. The case took over forty years to be recognized as a femicide, largely due to feminist activism. A 2023 book by Francis Dupuis-Déri brought renewed attention to the event. Research into Legotien’s life reveals she was an accomplished researcher whose contributions were often overshadowed by her role as Althusser’s wife. While Althusser’s autobiography presented his actions as a result of depression, scholars argue that media coverage historically focused on him while minimizing the victim. Unpublished writings by Althusser suggest he held anti-feminist views, which some experts believe evolved into a form of masculinism driven by resentment. In recent years, efforts have been made to honor Legotien’s memory at the École normale supérieure, and there is growing recognition globally that her death was a femicide.
