Jean Todt is a renowned French motor racing executive and former rally co-driver. He is best known for being the director of Peugeot Talbot Sport and later as the Scuderia Ferrari Formula 1 team principal, eventually becoming the CEO of Ferrari from 2004 to 2008. He is also famous for serving as the ninth president of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) from 2009 to 2021. His career in rally co-driving started in 1966, and he participated in World Championship rallies until 1981, achieving success with Guy Fréquelin as they won the Constructors' World Rally Championship with Talbot Lotus. His leadership led to Peugeot's victories in four World Rally Championship titles, four Paris-Dakar Rallies, and two Le Mans 24 Hours races. Under his guidance at Ferrari, the team secured 14 Formula One World Championship titles, and Michael Schumacher clinched five consecutive World Drivers' Championships from 2000 to 2004. In October 2009, Todt was elected President of the FIA, and he served three consecutive terms until December 2021. Furthermore, he was appointed as the United Nations Special Envoy for Road Safety on 29th April 2015.
Jean Todt: An Intimate Look at His Early Life
Jean Todt, born on 25 February 1946, hails from Pierrefort, a village in the Auvergne region of France. Jean Henri Todt is his birth name. He is of French nationality and belongs to the French-White ethnicity. As of 2023, he celebrates his 77th birthday. While renowned in his field, Todt has chosen to keep the identities of his parents and siblings private, not divulging such personal details to the media.
Following his high school education, Todt pursued studies at the Ecole des Cadres School of Economics and Business in Paris.
Jean Todt's Motor Racing Career: A Victorious Adventure
- Jean Todt's passion for motorsport led him to excel as a co-driver, navigating alongside renowned rally stars like Jean-Pierre Nicolas, Hannu Mikkola, and Guy Fréquelin. In 1981, he achieved remarkable success with Talbot, winning the manufacturers' World Rally Championship and finishing as the runner-up in the drivers' World Rally Championship.
- Simultaneously, he began transitioning into team management and fostering relations with the FIA, while also representing drivers in the FISA Rally Commission from 1975 to 1981.
- In 1981, Todt retired as a co-driver and took on the role of Director of Racing for Peugeot, leading their return to competition. He orchestrated the success of Peugeot Talbot Sport, designing iconic vehicles like the Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 and Peugeot 905.
- Under his guidance, Peugeot secured consecutive manufacturers' World Championship titles in 1985 and 1986 with the 205 Turbo 16 Group B. Todt then adapted the 205 Turbo 16 for off-road rallies, achieving four consecutive victories in the Paris-Dakar Rally from 1987 to 1990 with drivers Ari Vatanen and Juha Kankkunen.
- In 1992 and 1993, Peugeot won the prestigious Le Mans 24 Hours with the Peugeot 905.
- In 1993, he joined Scuderia Ferrari as the General Manager of the Racing Division, becoming the first non-Italian to lead the team. His mission was to bring Ferrari back to success, facing internal conflicts and a struggling production system.
- Despite initial challenges, Gerhard Berger's win at the German Grand Prix in 1994 marked the team's first victory in four years.
- Todt's recruitment of Michael Schumacher in 1996 proved to be a turning point, and with the addition of key managers Rory Byrne and Ross Brawn, Ferrari's performance improved significantly.
- They secured the Constructors' Championship in 1999, and from 2000 to 2004, Schumacher won five consecutive drivers' championships, leading Ferrari to six straight Constructors' Championships, showcasing the team's dominant era in Formula 1.
- On 1 June 2004, he became the CEO of Ferrari while also retaining his role as General Manager of the Racing Division. Following the retirement of Michael Schumacher in 2006, he became a Special Advisor for Scuderia Ferrari.
- In 2007, he prepared Stefano Domenicali to take over as head of the Scuderia. In March 2008, he resigned as Special Advisor and remained on Ferrari's board for a year before stepping down from all positions in March 2009.
- He then became President of "eSafety Aware!" promoting smart vehicles and safety technologies. In July 2009, he announced his candidacy for the Presidency of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), winning the election in October and being re-elected for two more terms in 2013 and 2017.
- He served as FIA President until December 2021 when he was succeeded by Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
- Since April 29, 2015, he has served as the Special Envoy for Road Safety to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, a role that was confirmed by the new UN Secretary-General António Guterres in April 2017.
Jean Todt Awards, Trophies, and titles
As Co-driver:
- Lyon-Charbonnières Rally: 1968 with Jean-Claude Andruet in Alpine A110 1440
- Grasse-Alpin Rally: 1970 with Jean-François Piot in Ford Escort RS 1800
- Tour de France Automobile Rally: 1970 with Jean-Pierre Beltoise and Patrick Depailler in Matra MS650
- Rally de Portugal: 1971 with Jean-Pierre Nicolas in Alpine A110 in European Championship
- Tour de La Réunion: 1972 with Jean-Pierre Nicolas in Renault 12 Gordini
- World Rally Championship (co-driver): Vice-champion of the world in 1981 with Guy Fréquelin in Talbot Sunbeam Lotus, also contributing to the team's 1981 manufacturers’ World Championship.
Co-driver in WRC Competitions:
- Winner, Rally of Poland in 1973 (with Achim Warmbold)
- Winner, Österreichische Alpenfahrt in 1973 (with Achim Warmbold)
- Winner, Rallye du Maroc in 1975 (with Hannu Mikkola)
- Winner, Rally Argentina in 1981 (with Guy Fréquelin)
- Numerous 2nd and 3rd place finishes in various rallies.
As Team Principal/Director:
- World Rally Championship (Peugeot Talbot Sport/Peugeot 205 Turbo 16): Won drivers’ and manufacturers’ titles in 1985 and 1986.
- German Rally Championship: Won in 1985 (Kalle Grundel) and 1986 (Michèle Mouton) with Peugeot 205 Turbo 16.
- Paris-Dakar Rally (Peugeot Talbot Sport): Won in 1987, 1988, 1989, and 1990.
- Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC - the Race to the Clouds): Won in 1988 (Peugeot 405 Turbo 16 driven by A. Vatanen).
- French Rallycross Championship (Peugeot Talbot Sport/Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 Evolution 2): Won in 1988 (Guy Fréquelin), 1989 (Philippe Wambergue), and 1990 (Jean-Manuel Beuzelin).
- Andros Elite Trophy (Peugeot 205 Turbo 16): Won in 1990 (Éric Arpin).
- World Sportscar Championship (Peugeot Talbot Sport/Peugeot 905): Won drivers’ and manufacturers’ titles in 1992.
- Le Mans 24 Hours (Peugeot Talbot Sport/Peugeot 905): Won in 1992 and 1993.
- Formula One World Constructors’ Championship with the Scuderia Ferrari: Won in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, and 2008 (106 Grand Prix wins).
- Formula One World Drivers' Championship with the Scuderia Ferrari: Won in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 (Michael Schumacher), and 2007 (Kimi Räikkönen).
Titles and Distinctions:
- Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour (2011)
- Gold Medal of Youth and Sports (1987)
- Laurent Perrier Grand Siècle Award (1987)
- Officer of the National Order of Merit (1991)
- Commander of the Italian Republic (2002)
- Doctor Honoris Causa in Mechanic Engineering at Florence University (2004)
- Dato Seri of Malaysia (2006)
- Member of the Ukrainian Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise (2011)
- Grand Officer of the Order of Saint Agatha (San Marino) (2012)
- Commander of the National Order of Merit of Senegal (2013)
- Medal of the First Class of the Kingdom of Bahrain, awarded by the King (2014)
- Medal of the Order of Friendship of the Russian Federation (2015)
- Palme d'Or of the International Automobile Festival (2015)
- Humanitarian of the Year Award by the United Nations Association of New York (2016)
- Doctor Honoris Causa by the National Sports Academy of Sofia (2017)
- Medal of the Order of St. George from the SemperOpernball (2019)
- Commander of the Order of Saint Charles of Monaco (2020)
Exploring Jean Todt's Net Worth and Earnings
Jean Todt is a motor racing executive and former rally co-driver. He embarked on his professional career as a rally co-driver in 1966 and remained active in World Championship rallies until 1981. With an estimated net worth of $16 million as of 2023, he currently earns an annual salary of over $3 million. Known for holding high-level positions in renowned companies, he notably served as director of Peugeot Talbot Sport and later as Scuderia Ferrari Formula 1 team principal, a role he held for an extensive period. From 2004 to 2008, he was appointed as Ferrari's chief executive officer. Additionally, Todt was the ninth president of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile, assuming the position in 2009 and serving until 2021. His significant wealth primarily stems from his executive racing career, enabling him to lead a luxurious lifestyle.
Meet Jean Todt Wife and Children
Jean Todt is married to the talented Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh. The couple tied the knot on 27 July 2023 in Geneva, as revealed by former Scuderia Ferrari driver Felipe Massa in an Instagram post. They have been together since 2004 when they met in Shanghai during a presentation ceremony. Their engagement was confirmed by Michelle on CBS's The Late Late Show in July 2008. Jean has a son named Nicolas Todt from his previous marriage, who is a driver manager and former co-owner of ART Grand Prix. Jean Todt identifies as straight in terms of his sexuality.
Everything To Know About Michelle Yeoh
Todt is dedicated to various charitable causes. He is a Founder and Vice-President of the Institut du cerveau et de la moelle épinière (ICM), a medical research institute for brain and spinal cord disorders. He is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the FIA Foundation for the Automobile and Society, President of the Board of Directors of the Suu Foundation, and a member of the Board of Directors for the International Peace Institute (IPI). He serves as a board member for the Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens and is associated with organizations such as Gaumont, the Groupe Lucien Barrière, and Edmond de Rothschild SA. Furthermore, he holds Honorary President and Ambassador titles for several prestigious institutions, including the Federazione Auto Motoristica Sammarinese (FAMS), the Republic of San Marino, the Automobile Club de France, and the Polo de Paris.
Jean Todt Hair, Height & Weight
Jean Todt, at the age of 77, retains his handsome charm. Standing at a height of 5 feet 8 inches and weighing around 70 kg, he has a slim body type and an attractive personality. His salt and pepper hair and brown eyes complement his glowing face, adorned with a charming smile. Despite his age, he maintains a healthy and vibrant appearance.
