{{Short description|French astrologer}} {{Infobox person | name = Élizabeth Teissier | birth_name = Germaine Élizabeth Hanselmann | image = Elizabeth Teissier.jpg | caption = Teissier in May 2009 | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1938|01|06|df=y}} | birth_place = Algiers, French Algeria | occupation = {{hlist|Model|Actress|Astrologer|Television presenter|Author}} | website = http://www.eteissier.com/ }}

'''Élizabeth Teissier''' (née '''Germaine Élizabeth Hanselmann'''; born 6 January 1938) is a French astrologer and former model and actress. Between 1975 and 1976, she created a daily horoscope on French television channel Antenne 2, and in 1981, she launched the ''Astro Show'' television programme in Germany. Her personal clients included former President of France François Mitterrand, and she has published several books on astrology. A test that compared her predictions against common sense and chance failed to show any evidence of her having any special powers.

She has been involved in several controversies, including the award of a Doctorate in Sociology for her thesis which argued that astrology was being oppressed by science. Her work was contested by the scientific community; criticisms included the alleged failure to work within the field of sociology and also lacking the necessary scientific rigour for a doctoral thesis in any scientific field. The university and jury who awarded the degree were harshly criticised, though both they and Teissier had supporters and defenders.

In 2015, Teissier unsuccessfully sued the Wikimedia Foundation, claiming that the French Wikipedia article about her damaged her reputation.

== Biography ==

=== Early life === Born to a Swiss father and a French mother, she married André Teissier du Cros in 1960 and thus became the daughter-in-law of Janet Teissier du Cros.<ref>[http://www.editions-harmattan.fr/index.asp?navig=auteurs&obj=artiste&no=18198 Biography of André Teissier Du Cros], at ''Éditions Harmattan.fr''.</ref> She gained a Masters in Modern Literature in 1963<ref name="Ardisson">Thierry Ardisson, interview with Élizabeth Teissier, from ''Tout le monde en parle'' on France 2, at 10 November 2001.</ref> and a Bachelor of Arts in Literature in 1992.<ref name = Skepter />

=== Career === Between 1965 and 1975, she acted in a dozen films, including mainly soft erotic films, but also ones directed by Sydney Pollack (''Castle Keep'', 1969), Marcel Carné, Philippe de Broca and Yves Robert. She has also worked as a model, notably for Coco Chanel.<ref>[http://skepsis.nl/doctorteissier/ ''ET in the Sorbonne: The creation of a doctor in astrology'' on Skepsis.nl, by Eric Hoogcarspel and Jan Willem Nienhuys]</ref>

In 1968 she became a student of the astrologer Henri Joseph Gouchon on the advice of Federico Fellini.<ref name="Ardisson"/> Afterwards, from 1975 to 2009, she had several astrological columns, presented astrology on television, and published pleas for astrology's recognition.<ref> * From 16 July 1975 to 15 February 1976: ''Astralement vôtre'' or ''Interlude astral'', daily broadcast on Antenne 2 (now France 2). * April 1976: publication of ''[http://www.astralementvotre.net/these/dox/Abellio.pdf Ne brûlez pas la sorcière] (une défense de l'astrologie)'' (''Do Not Burn the Witch (A Defense of Astrology)''), published by J.-J. Pauvert * 1977–2003: Astrology section in the magazine ''Télé 7 jours'' * 1978–1979: ''Au Bonheur des astres'', weekly show on Antenne 2 * 1979–1980: ''La Légende des Ciels'', weekly show on Antenne 2 * 1980–1983: ''Astro Show'': on ARD, ORF and SF in Germany, Austria and Switzerland * On 1 February 2003, she began publishing in the weekly ''TV Mag'', published by Figaro group.</ref>

From 1989, she advised the French President, François Mitterrand, who consulted her regularly at the Élysée Palace.<ref name=HTFT/> Her advice covered both personal matters, such as his health, and matters of state such as the Gulf War and the timing of the Maastricht Treaty referendum.<ref name=HTFT>{{citation |title=How the French Think |first=Sudhir |last=Hazareesingh |publisher=Penguin |year=2015 |isbn=9780141974804 |pages=62–63 |chapter=Darkness and Light}}</ref> She released transcripts of their recorded conversations four years after his death.<ref name=Henley>{{citation |newspaper=The Observer |title=How Mitterrand sought advice from astrologer |date=25 June 2000 |first=Jon |last=Henley |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2000/jun/25/jonhenley.theobserver2}}</ref> For example, he said, "You once told me there were days when it was better to talk, and days when it was better not to talk. When is the next best day for me to speak? Could you check for me?"<ref name=Henley/>

=== Filmography === * 1966 (uncredited): ''Qui êtes-vous, Polly Maggoo ?'',<ref>[http://www.filmweb.pl/film/Kim+jeste%C5%9B%2C+Polly+Maggoo-1966-9026/cast/actors Filmweb.pl – ''Kim jesteś, Polly Maggoo?''] {{in lang|pl}}</ref> directed by William Klein<ref>[http://www.notrecinema.com/communaute/v1_detail_film.php3?lefilm=22642 Notre Cinema article on ''Qui êtes-vous, Polly Maggoo ?'']</ref> * 1966 (uncredited): ''Tendre Voyou'',<ref>[http://www.filmweb.pl/film/Kochany+%C5%82obuz-1966-93147/cast/actors Filmweb.pl – Cast page for ''Kochany łobuz'' (a.k.a. ''Tendre Voyou'')]</ref> directed by Jean Becker<ref>[http://www.filmweb.pl/film/Kochany+%C5%82obuz-1966-93147 Filmweb.pl – Main page for ''Kochany łobuz'' (a.k.a. ''Tendre Voyou'')]</ref> * 1968: ''Young Wolves'' (''Les Jeunes Loups''), directed by Marcel Carné<ref>[http://www.hollywood.com/movies/the-young-wolves-59277206/credits/ Hollywood.com credits list for ''The Young Wolves'']</ref><ref>[http://sfi.se/en-GB/Swedish-film-database/Item/?itemid=35858&type=MOVIE&iv=Titles Swedish Film Database page on alternate titles for ''Young Wolves''], by the Swedish Film Institute</ref> * 1968: ''Faites donc plaisir aux amis'' directed by Francis Rigaud<ref>[http://cinema.encyclopedie.films.bifi.fr/index.php?pk=53738 cinema.encyclopedie.films.bifi.fr page on ''Faites donc plaisir aux amis''] (click on the "Générique artistique" tab to see her listed)</ref> * 1969: ''Castle Keep'', directed by Sydney Pollack<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160914222459/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b6a7449df British Film Institute page on ''Castle Keep'']</ref> * 1969: ''The Blood Rose'' (''La Rose écorchée''), directed by Claude Mulot<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160914220850/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b6b4a614f British Film Institute page on ''The Blood Rose'']</ref> * 1971: ''Frustration, ou Les Dérèglements d'une jeune provinciale'', directed by José Bénazéraf<ref>[http://www.sueursfroides.fr/critique/frustration-2476 Sueurs Froides.fr review of ''Frustration''] by Philippe Chouvel</ref> * 1972: ''Le rempart des Béguines'', directed by Guy Casaril<ref>[http://www.cinema-francais.fr/les_films/films_c/films_casaril_guy/le_rempart_des_beguines.htm Cinema-francais.fr page on ''Le rempart des Béguines'']</ref> * 1972: ''Rolande met de bles'', directed by Roland Verhavert<ref>[http://www.nl.universcine.be/films/rolande-met-de-bles Universcine.be]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160914221924/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b7929cd98 British Film Institute page on ''Roland met de bles'']</ref> * 1973: ''A Slightly Pregnant Man'' (''L'Événement le plus important depuis que l'homme a marché sur la Lune''), directed by Jacques Demy<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160914213709/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b71373b62 British Film Institute page on ''L'Événement le plus important depuis que l'homme a marché sur la Lune'']</ref> * 1973: ''Salut l'artiste'', directed by Yves Robert<ref>[http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm-33278/casting/ Allocine.fr page on ''Salut l'artiste'']</ref> * 1975: ''L'Incorrigible'',<ref>[http://www.programme-tv.net/cinema/13245-l-incorrigible/casting/ Programme-tv.net: ''L'Incorrigible'' cast list]</ref> directed by Philippe de Broca<ref>[http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=36742.html Allocine.fr page on ''L'Incorrigible'']</ref>

===Television astrology shows=== From 1975 to 1983, she hosted a series of television shows making astrological predictions: * From 16 July 1975 to 15 February 1976: ''Astralement vôtre'' or ''Interlude astral'', daily broadcast on Antenne 2 (now France 2). <!--* 1977-2003: Astrology section in the magazine ''Télé 7 jours''; Can't cite--> * 1978–1979: ''Au Bonheur des astres'', weekly show on Antenne 2 * 1979–1980: ''La Légende des Ciels'', weekly show on Antenne 2 * 1980–1983: ''Astro Show'': on ARD in Germany.<ref>[https://www.eteissier.com/biogra/biog.asp?bouton=11&pagex=2 Eteissier.com – biographie.]</ref> <!--* On 1 February 2003, she began publishing in the weekly ''TV Mag'', published by Figaro group. - Can't cite-->

== Astrological predictions == According to Teissier, her predictions have a success rate of 80% to 90%.<ref name="zetetique.org">Cercle Zététique du Languedoc-Roussillon, [http://www.zetetique.org/et_match_resultats.html ''Résultats du Match Teissier/CZLR sur l'année 2000''], 2001.</ref> She claims to have predicted events such as the shooting of Ronald Reagan, Black Monday and the fall of the Berlin Wall.<ref name="Eakin" />

The Circle Zététique of Languedoc-Roussillon, via a test conducted at the University of Nice from April 2000 to January 2001, argued that her predictions and random predictions by a computer yielded identical results.<ref name="zetetique.org"/>

A team compared twenty-two forecasts made by Élizabeth Teissier for 2000 to twenty-two forecasts by a group using a common sense reasoning, and twenty-two forecasts made by using a computer to choose random dates. The target was a minimum of 16 successes for Teissier (73%).<ref name="zetetique.org"/>

Results: * Random choice: 8 successes * Teissier: 7 successes * Common sense: 7 successes. The experiment concluded that there was no evidence of Élizabeth Teissier having any particular gift, with common-sense predictions or even random chance having equivalent results.<ref name="zetetique.org"/>

=== Cancer prediction claims === Teissier sparked controversy and denunciation in September 2007<ref>[http://www.lematin.ch/fr/actu/suisse/mariella-madonna-elle-raconte-n-importe-quoi_9-80871 ''Mariella Madonna: «Elle raconte n'importe quoi»''] (''Mariella Madonna: "She says anything"'') by Fabiano Citroni in ''Le Matin'' 14 September 2007; ([http://sens-commun.blogspot.com/2007/09/mariella-madonna-elle-raconte-nimporte.html copy]).</ref> when she said, in an interview with the Swiss daily newspaper ''Le Matin'', that "in an astrological chart, you can see if you have a predisposition to cancer, and the type of cancer in question" and that "astrology has never killed anyone, unlike medicine".<ref>[http://www.lematin.ch/pages/home/actu/suisse/actu_suisse__1?contenu=293664 ''Le Matin'', 2 September 2007]</ref>

== Sociology thesis == {{main|Teissier affair}} On 7 April 2001, Elizabeth Teissier defended her thesis<ref>{{cite book|url = http://ecolesdoctorales.parisdescartes.fr/ed180/content/download/56524/298247/version/1/file|language = French|title = Université Paris Decartes: école doctorale &ndash; sciences humaines et sociales &ndash; cultures, individus, sociétés|chapter = Procédure de Soutenance|pages = 15–18|publisher = Université Paris Decartes}}</ref> entitled ''Situation épistémologique de l'astrologie à travers l'ambivalence fascination-rejet dans les sociétés postmodernes'' ("The Epistemological Situation of Astrology in Relation to the Ambivalent Fascination/Rejection of Postmodern Societies").<ref name = thesis>{{cite thesis|first = Élizabeth|last = Teissier|title = Situation épistémiologique de l'astrologie à travers l'ambivalence fascination/rejet dans les sociétés postmodernes|type = Ph.D.|publisher = Paris Descartes University|year = 2001|url = http://theses.fr/2001PA05H017}}</ref><ref name=Krivine /><ref name=Eakin /> Her studies at the University of Paris Descartes (a member of the Sorbonne University alliance), were under the supervision of Michel Maffesoli, an Emeritus Professor of Sociology.<ref name=Krivine>Jean-Paul Krivine, [http://www.pseudo-sciences.org/spip.php?article644 « Einstein et l'astrologie : une citation fausse qui a la vie dure »], ''pseudo-sciences.org'', December 2001.</ref> The central idea of the thesis was described by ''The New York Times'' as being that astrology is being oppressed by science, which Teissier called "official science" and "monolithic thought".<ref name="Eakin">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/06/02/arts/02ASTR.html|title= Star Wars: Is Astrology Sociology?|last=Eakin|first=Emily|date=2 June 2001|work=New York Times|accessdate=27 June 2016}}</ref> Teissier argued, however, that her work is devoid of bias and had "focused only on the misunderstanding that astrology as a multimillennial knowledge vehicle" provokes.<ref name = Gourdin_LeSoir>{{cite news|url = http://archives.lesoir.be/qui-predira-la-fin-de-l-affaire-teissier-_t-20010818-Z0KU3Z.html|newspaper = Le Soir|title = Qui prédira la fin de l'affaire Teissier?|last = Gourdin|first = Caroline|page = 9|date = 18 August 2001|accessdate = 8 October 2016|language = French}}</ref> Her prepared statement was enthusiastically received by her supporters, but there was also a declaration from the editor-in-chief of ''Science et Vie Junior'' that what was occurring was a "farce".<ref name = Skepter>{{cite journal|url = http://skepsis.nl/doctorteissier/|title = ET in the Sorbonne: The creation of a doctor in astrology|first1 = Eric|last1 = Hoogcarspel|first2 = Jan W.|last2 = Nienhuys|authorlink2 = Jan Willem Nienhuys|journal = Skepter|date = June 2001}}</ref><ref name = Rotmann>{{cite news|first = Charlotte|last = Rotmann|url = http://www.liberation.fr/societe/2001/04/09/elizabeth-teissier-docteur-des-astres_360739|title = Elizabeth Teissier docteur des astres &ndash; Polémique universitaire autour de sa thèse de sociologie|newspaper = Libération|date = 9 April 2001|accessdate = 8 October 2016|language = French}}</ref> At end of the defense, the jury deliberated only briefly before Serge Moscovici admitted Teissier to her doctoral degree<ref name = LCandD>{{cite news|url = http://www.homme-moderne.org/societe/socio/teissier/analyse/socio.html|first1 = Bernard|last1 = Lahire|first2 = Philippe|last2 = Cibois|first3 = Dominique|last3 = Desjeux|title = La non thèse de sociologie d'Élizabeth Teissier|year = 2001|newspaper = Le magazine de l'homme moderne|accessdate = 8 October 2016|language = French}}</ref> with the "very honourable" distinction.<ref>{{cite book|chapter = Case Study: Examining a French PhD Thesis in Sociology and Related Disciplines|pages = 72–73|first = Rod|last = Watson|chapter-url = https://books.google.com/books?id=9ZjlAAAAQBAJ&q=tr%C3%A8s+honorable+avec+f%C3%A9licitations+academic&pg=PA73|title = The Doctoral Examination Process: A Handbook For Students, Examiners And Supervisors|editor1-last = Tinkler|editor1-first = Penny|editor2-last = Jackson|editor2-first = Carolyn|publisher = McGraw-Hill Education|year = 2004|isbn = 9780335213054}}</ref><ref name = JuryRules>{{cite web|url = http://ecolesdoctorales.parisdescartes.fr/ed180/content/download/4014/28671/version/1/file|title = Rappels et Conseils pour la Constitution des Jurys de Thèses et l'Organisation des Soutenances|date = 7 August 2006|accessdate = 8 October 2016|first = Olivier|last = Martin|publisher = Université Paris Decartes|language = French}}</ref>

The decision to award Teissier's doctorate was controversial, and several sociologists also publicly challenged its legitimacy.<ref name = LeMonde>Cf. Christian Baudelot, Roger Establet, ''[http://www.lemonde.fr/cgi-bin/ACHATS/acheter.cgi?offre=ARCHIVES&type_item=ART_ARCH_30J&objet_id=700655 La sociologie sous une mauvaise étoile]'', ''Le Monde'', 18 April 2001; [http://www.homme-moderne.org/societe/socio/teissier/baudelot.html a copy is available from homme-moderne.org].</ref><ref name = Liberation>Cf., for example Alain Bourdin, ''[http://www.homme-moderne.org/societe/socio/teissier/bourdin.html La sociologie, l'antithèse de Teissier]'', Libération, 19 April 2001, and the articles published in the press review by the AFIS: [http://www.pseudo-sciences.org/spip.php?article390 part 1], [http://www.pseudo-sciences.org/spip.php?article391 part 2], [http://www.pseudo-sciences.org/spip.php?article392 part 3], [http://www.pseudo-sciences.org/spip.php?article393 part 4].</ref><ref>Serge Paugam, ''La Pratique de la sociologie'', Paris, PUF, 2008, <abbr class="abbr" title="page(s)">p.</abbr>&nbsp;117; cf. également Gérald Houdeville, ''Le Métier de sociologue en France depuis 1945. ''</ref> The university was criticised for granting the degree, as was the jury, along with Teissier's statements in support of astrology as a science.<ref name = LeMonde /><ref name = Liberation />

A petition signed by over 370 sociologists was sent to Professor Pierre Daumard, the President of the university;<ref name = ASES>{{cite web|first = Daniel|last = Filâtre|url = http://cibois.pagesperso-orange.fr/HistTeissier.htm|title = Affaire Teissier: historique &ndash; Présentation par Daniel Filâtre, président de l'Ases (extrait de la Lettre de l'ASES 30 de décembre 2001)|date = 30 December 2001|accessdate = 8 October 2016|publisher = ASES archives maintained by Philippe Cibois, former President|language = French}}</ref> he responded that Teissier had complied with all university requirements and it is not his place to question the "guarantees of the scientific validity of the thesis" from the independent jury.<ref name = UniPrez /> Daumard also defended that astrology is a legitimate subject for sociological study for its impact on society,<ref name = UniPrez>{{cite web|title = "René-Descartes" and Élizabeth Teissier|last = Daumard|first = Pierre|author-link = Pierre Daumard|url = http://cibois.pagesperso-orange.fr/Contrib.htm#Daumard|language = French|year = 2001|accessdate = 9 October 2016|publisher = ASES archives maintained by Philippe Cibois, former President}}</ref> However, a group organised by the Association Française pour l'Information Scientifique (AFIS) described it as "not a thesis in sociology but actually pro-astrological advocacy".<ref>{{cite web|title = COMMUNIQUÉ À LA PRESSE|date = 25 April 2001|accessdate = 6 October 2016|url = http://www.pseudo-sciences.org/spip.php?article389|author = Association Française pour l'Information Scientifique|author-link = Association Française pour l'Information Scientifique}}</ref> They concluded that Teissier's work did not meet the requirements of scientific rigor of doctoral research, regardless of the discipline in question.<ref name="homme-moderne.org">{{Cite web|url=http://www.homme-moderne.org/societe/socio/teissier/analyse/|title=Analyse de la thèse de Madame Elizabeth Teissier|author=Bernard Lahire, Philippe Cibois, Dominique Desjeux, Jean Audouze, Henri Broch, Jean-Paul Krivine, Jean-Claude Pecker et Jacques Bouveresse|date=6 August 2001|access-date=6 January 2008}}</ref>

== Lawsuit against the Wikimedia Foundation == In July 2015, Teissier sued the Wikimedia Foundation, saying the article about her on the French Wikipedia damaged her reputation, and required her to have the right of response. She lost the original trial and appeal. In June 2016, The Court of Appeal in Paris dismissed the case, stating that the Wikimedia Foundation had a technical role of hosting provider, and was thus not involved in the content, and that the remarks about Teissier fell within the limits of free criticism.<ref>"[http://rue89.nouvelobs.com/2016/06/21/lastrologue-elizabeth-teissier-perd-proces-modifier-wikipedia-264420 L'astrologue Elizabeth Teissier perd son procès pour modifier Wikipédia]", Thierry Noisette, ''Rue89.com'', 21 June 2016.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|author=Alexis Orsini|url=http://www.lemonde.fr/pixels/article/2016/06/21/l-astrologue-elizabeth-teissier-deboutee-de-sa-plainte-contre-la-fondation-wikimedia_4955263_4408996.html|work=Le Monde.fr|date=21 June 2016|title=L'astrologue Elizabeth Teissier déboutée de sa plainte contre la fondation Wikimedia|access-date=22 June 2016}}</ref><ref>[http://www.europe1.fr/emissions/le-fait-medias-du-jour/wikipedia-elizabeth-tessier-deboutee-de-sa-plainte-2779228 « Wikipédia : Elizabeth Tessier déboutée de sa plainte »], Jérôme Ivanichtenko, Europe 1.fr, 22 June 2016.</ref>

== Bibliography == *''Ne brûlez pas la sorcière'', Pauvert, 1970. {{oclc|3274316}} *''Astralement vôtre : le triomphe d'une vocation'', Laffont, 1980. {{ISBN|9782221005477}} *''Astrologie, passion'', Hachette, 1992. {{ISBN|9782010190599}} *with Henri Laborit ''Étoiles et molécules'', Grasset, 1992. {{ISBN|9782246463412}} *''Les Douze Signes du zodiaque'', Edition 1, 1993. {{oclc|492058661}} *''Vos étoiles jusqu'en l'an 2001 : la conjoncture mondiale et votre horoscope année par année'', Edition 1, 1993. {{ISBN|9782863915417}} *''Les étoiles de l'Elysée : astro-portraits'', Edition 1, 1995. {{ISBN|9782863916629}} *''Sous le signe de Mitterrand'', Edition 1, 1997. {{ISBN|9782863918005}} *''Le passage de tous les dangers : 1999–2004: à l'aube du troisième millénaire, un survol des influx cosmiques pour vous et pour le monde'', Laffont, 1999. {{ISBN|9782221089262}} *''L'homme d'aujourd'hui et les astres : fascination et rejet'', Plon, 2001. {{ISBN|9782259196185}} *''Votre horoscope 2009'', XO, 2008. {{ISBN|9782845633872}} *with Gerhard Hynek ''2012–2016 : cinq années qui vont changer le monde'', XO, 2011. {{ISBN|9782845635340}} *''Est-il votre Mars ? Est-elle votre Vénus ? : petit traité ludique de l'amour et de l'amitié'', XO, 2013. {{ISBN|9782845636040}}

== References == {{Reflist|30em}}

== External links == * [http://www.pseudo-sciences.org/spip.php?rubrique30 Materials on astrology] at the website of the AFIS journal ''Science et pseudo-sciences'' (in French) * ''[http://www.homme-moderne.org/societe/socio/teissier/index.html Doctor Teissier?]'' A collection of materials on the Teissier affair (in French) *{{iMDb name|0854045}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Teissier, Elizabeth}} Category:20th-century French actresses Category:French film actresses Category:21st-century astrologers Category:20th-century astrologers Category:French astrologers Category:1938 births Category:Living people Category:Paris Descartes University alumni Category:People from Algiers Category:French people of Swiss descent