Who Is Valery Lameignère? The Quiet Life of Molly Ringwald’s First Husband

Valery Lameignère is not a big Hollywood name, but his story is still interesting. Most people know him because he was once married to actress Molly Ringwald. But Valery is much more than that. He is a French writer and translator who has spent his life working with books, words, and languages.

In this article, we’ll look at who Valery Lameignère really is. We’ll talk about his early life in France, how he built a quiet but meaningful career, how he met Molly Ringwald, and what happened in their marriage. It’s a calm and thoughtful story about someone who mostly stayed out of the spotlight.

Valery Lameignère’s Quick Bio

Who Is Valery Lameignère?

Valery Lameignère is a French author and literary translator. He is best known to many people as the first husband of Molly Ringwald, the famous American actress from movies like The Breakfast Club and Pretty in Pink. But Valery has his own story too.

He is someone who loves language, books, and stories. Instead of chasing fame, he chose a life where he could quietly work with words—writing, translating, and helping people understand books from other countries.

Valery Lameignère’s Early Life

Valery was born around 1968 in France. He grew up in a country that has a deep love for art, books, and poetry. France has produced many great writers, and Valery followed that path too.

Not much is known about his childhood, but it’s clear that he grew up loving language and learning. This love for storytelling would become a big part of his future career. He was also close in age to Molly Ringwald, just about two years older than her.

Valery Lameignère’s Career in Writing and Translation

Valery built a quiet but steady career in literature. He worked as both a writer and a translator. His work focused on translating English-language books into French, helping more people enjoy stories from around the world.

He once wrote a special article for the Hartford Courant in 2002, where he explained how translation is more than just changing words. It’s about keeping the feeling and meaning of the story. He said translators are often unseen, but they play a very important role in sharing ideas across cultures.

He called translation a “chronophagous mission,” which means it takes a lot of time, care, and love. His words showed how deeply he cared about his work.

Valery’s Brief Work in the Film Industry

Before becoming widely known as a writer, Valery also had a short job in the film world. In 1992, he worked as a production driver on a movie called Tattle Tale. It was not a big job, but it gave him a small taste of working behind the scenes in entertainment.

This experience shows that Valery was open to trying different creative paths, even outside of writing. But it’s clear that his true passion was always in books and translation.

How Valery Met Molly Ringwald

Molly Ringwald moved to Paris in the early 1990s. She was looking for something new after her time in Hollywood started to feel less exciting. In Paris, she started learning the French language and acting in French films.

It was during this time that she met Valery Lameignère. They connected not through fame or media but through real conversations, culture, and creativity. Their relationship grew quietly in a place far away from the busy life of Hollywood.

Valery and Molly Ringwald’s Marriage

Valery and Molly got married in Paris in either 1998 or 1999. Different reports give different dates, but it’s clear they were together during that time. They lived mostly in France and had a home in Bordeaux.

Their marriage looked peaceful from the outside. Valery kept working on his translations and writing, while Molly took on new acting roles in Europe. For a while, they seemed like a good match—two creative people living a quiet life together.

Valery and Molly Ringwald’s Divorce

After a few quiet years of marriage, things began to change. In December 2002, Molly Ringwald filed for divorce from Valery Lameignère. The reason she gave was “cruel and inhuman treatment,” which surprised many fans.

She didn’t ask for money or belongings. Molly chose to leave the house they shared in Bordeaux, France, without taking anything. This showed she just wanted peace and a fresh start. The divorce was quiet, but it clearly marked the end of a painful chapter for her.

Later on, when Molly released her fiction book, some readers thought one character—a proud Frenchman—was based on Valery. But Molly said it wasn’t about him. She denied that the book was connected to their real-life story.

Where Is Valery Lameignère Now?

After the divorce, Valery Lameignère disappeared from the spotlight. He didn’t give interviews or make public appearances. Instead, he chose to return to his quiet life.

He is believed to still work in literary translation, helping books move from English to French. His name may not appear on every book cover, but his work makes it possible for many readers to enjoy stories in their own language.

Some reports say he has lived in both Paris and New York, though nothing is confirmed. Valery seems to enjoy privacy and prefers to stay away from fame and gossip.

Valery’s Net Worth

Because Valery keeps his life very private, his exact net worth is not known. However, based on his work as a writer and translator, it is estimated that his net worth could be between $300,000 and $800,000.

His income likely comes from book translations, writing, and past projects. He may not be rich like celebrities, but he seems to value a simple, peaceful life over fame or wealth.

Final Thoughts

Valery Lameignère is a man who lived a quiet life—even when married to a famous star. He spent most of his time writing, translating, and helping stories move between languages.

His marriage to Molly Ringwald brought him short-term media attention. But in the end, his true passion was always literature, culture, and creativity.

Valery’s story reminds us that not all important people are in the spotlight. Some work quietly in the background, building bridges between words, countries, and people. And that’s something truly meaningful.

FAQs

How old is Valery Lameignère?

Valery Lameignère was born around 1968, which makes him about 58 years old in 2026.

When is Valery Lameignère’s birthday?

His exact birthday has not been made public. But reports say he was born around 1968, most likely in France.

Does Valery Lameignère have any children?

No, Valery Lameignère does not have any children. During his marriage to Molly Ringwald, they did not have kids together.

What does Valery Lameignère do for a living?

He works as a literary translator and writer. He translates books from English to French and also writes his own stories.

Why did Valery and Molly Ringwald get divorced?

Molly Ringwald filed for divorce in December 2002, saying she experienced “cruel and inhuman treatment.” She didn’t ask for money or property in the divorce.