Aliette Mandelbrot

Aliette Mandelbrot

Oct. 14, 1932 - March 31, 2023

MADISON - Aliette Mandelbrot, 90, passed away peacefully on March 31, 2023, in Madison, WI.

She was born in Neuilly, France, on October 14, 1932, the daughter of Adeline and Alexandre Kagan. She survived World War II by hiding in the south of France. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Paris. She married Benoit Mandelbrot in 1955, and moved to the United States in 1958. She received a Master's degree in Microbiology from Vassar College in 1968.

She worked as a microbiologist for a number of years until she decided to devote her time to her family. She was fortunate to travel extensively throughout the world with her husband, the mathematician who founded Fractal Geometry. She was an invaluable support to him, and was incredibly proud of his accomplishments. She loved classical music and attended opera performances throughout the world. She enjoyed going to music performances at Oakwood Village until the end of her life.

Her kindness and grace were always appreciated by her family and friends, and those who met her.

She is survived by her beloved sons, both physicians in academic medicine: Laurent (Jacqueline) and Didier (Rebecca); her three grandchildren: Benjamin, Jacob and Juliette; her brother, Henri; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Benoit; her mother, Adeline; and step-father, Chota Djabadary; and her brother, Jacques.

Private services will be held at the Yale Grove Street cemetery in New Haven, CT.