Élizabeth Teissier, born Germaine Élizabeth Hanselmann on January 6, 1938, is a renowned French astrologer, former model, and actress. She initially gained prominence between 1975 and 1976 by creating a daily horoscope on French television channel Antenne 2. Later, in 1981, she launched the Astro Show television programme in Germany, showcasing her expertise in astrology.
Throughout her career, Teissier has maintained a remarkable client roster, including the former President of France, François Mitterrand. She has also published several books on astrology, solidifying her reputation as a leading authority in the field. However, a test comparing her predictions to common sense and chance failed to demonstrate any extraordinary abilities.
Teissier has been embroiled in several controversies, including the award of a Doctorate in Sociology for her thesis arguing that astrology was being oppressed by science. The scientific community contested her work, citing methodological shortcomings and a lack of scientific rigor. The university and jury who awarded the degree faced harsh criticism, but Teissier and her supporters defended her achievement.
In 2015, Teissier filed a lawsuit against the Wikimedia Foundation, claiming that the French Wikipedia article about her damaged her reputation. Unfortunately, the lawsuit was unsuccessful.
Born to a Swiss father and a French mother, Teissier married André Teissier du Cros in 1960. She earned a Master's degree in Modern Literature in 1963 and a Bachelor of Arts in Literature in 1992. Between 1965 and 1975, she acted in over a dozen films, primarily soft erotic films, but also notable productions directed by Sydney Pollack, Marcel Carné, Philippe de Broca, and Yves Robert. Additionally, she worked as a model, notably for Coco Chanel.
Teissier's interest in astrology began in 1968 when she became a student of Henri Joseph Gouchon, an astrologer, on the advice of Federico Fellini. She then went on to have several astrological columns, present astrology on television, and publish pleas for astrology's recognition. From 1989, she advised President Mitterrand, providing counsel on both personal matters, such as his health, and state matters, including the Gulf War and the Maastricht Treaty referendum.
After Mitterrand's death, Teissier released transcripts of their recorded conversations, revealing the depth of their relationship and the significance of her astrological advice.
