Abortion pill inventor Etienne-Emile Baulieu dies aged 98

French scientist Etienne-Emile Baulieu, the inventor of the abortion pill, passed away at the age of 98 at his home in Paris, as confirmed by his wife to AFP.

The esteemed doctor and researcher, known for his groundbreaking work that led to the development of the pill, had a remarkable life story that included active participation in the French resistance and close friendships with renowned artists like Andy Warhol.

“His scientific pursuits were driven by a deep commitment to progress through science, his unwavering support for women’s autonomy, and his aspiration to enhance the quality and duration of life for all,” expressed Baulieu’s wife Simone Harari Baulieu in a statement.

French President Emmanuel Macron praised Baulieu’s legacy, describing him as “a symbol of bravery” and “a forward-thinking individual who empowered women to claim their freedom.”

“Few individuals of French descent have had such a transformative global impact,” Macron added in a social media post.

Baulieu’s most notable breakthrough led to the creation of the oral medication RU-486, also known as mifepristone, offering a safe and cost-effective alternative to surgical abortion for countless women worldwide.

Throughout the years, he persistently advocated for governments to approve the drug despite facing severe criticism and occasional threats from opponents of abortion.

When Wyoming became the first US state to ban the abortion pill in 2023, Baulieu condemned the decision as “outrageous.”

At the age of 96, Baulieu emphasized that a significant portion of his life had been dedicated to “expanding women’s freedom,” and such prohibitions represented a regressive step.

Following the news of his passing, French Equality Minister Aurore Berge extended her condolences to Baulieu’s family, emphasizing his lifelong commitment to upholding human dignity.

‘Fascinated by artists’

Born on December 12, 1926, in Strasbourg to Jewish parents, Etienne Blum was raised by his feminist mother following the death of his father, a physician.

He adopted the name Emile Baulieu when he joined the resistance movement against Nazi occupation at 15, later adding the name Etienne.

Post-war, he pursued a career as a “scientist-doctor,” specializing in steroid hormones.

During his time in the United States, Baulieu caught the attention of Gregory Pincus, widely regarded as the pioneer of the birth control pill, who encouraged him to focus on sex hormones.

Upon returning to France, Baulieu devised a method to inhibit the effects of the hormone progesterone, crucial for the implantation of the fertilized egg in the uterus.

This breakthrough paved the way for mifepristone’s development in 1982.

Despite legal challenges and vilification by US anti-abortion factions labeling him the creator of a “death pill,” Baulieu stood firm in his convictions.

“He faced vitriol with remarkable resilience,” shared Simone Harari Baulieu with AFP.

“As a Jew and a resistance fighter, you endured the most vicious slurs and were even likened to Nazi scientists,” Macron remarked when awarding Baulieu France’s highest honor in 2023.
“But you persevered, motivated by your love for liberty and scientific progress.”

In the 1960s, Baulieu, an avid reader, forged friendships with artists like Andy Warhol.

He professed a deep interest in artists who claimed to possess insights into the human soul, a domain he believed would forever elude scientific inquiry.

Alzheimer’s, depression research

Baulieu remained active in his Paris office well into his mid-90s.

“I would find life dull without work,” he remarked in 2023.

His recent endeavors included exploring methods to prevent Alzheimer’s disease progression and developing treatments for severe depression, with ongoing clinical trials worldwide.

“There’s no reason why we can’t discover therapies” for both conditions, he asserted.

In 1963, Baulieu was the first to describe the hormone DHEA secreted by the adrenal glands.

While he believed in the hormone’s anti-aging properties, pharmaceutical applications yielded limited results, mostly evident in cosmetic products like skin-firming creams.

In 1989, Baulieu received the esteemed Lasker Prize in the United States.

After the passing of his first wife Yolande Compagnon, Baulieu married Simone Harari in 2016.

He is survived by three children, eight grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren, according to a statement from his family.

© 2025 AFP