Claude Guillemot, one of the five brothers who built Ubisoft into a global gaming powerhouse, died Friday when his private plane crashed in rural France. He was 69.
Guillemot perished on June 19, 2026, when the single-engine aircraft went down in a field near Angoulême, according to French civil aviation authorities. The co-pilot also died; no passengers or ground casualties were reported. The cause is under investigation.
Guillemot and his four brothers—Christian, Michel, Gérard, and Yves—founded Ubisoft in 1986 in Carentoir, Brittany. Starting as a small software distributor, the company grew into one of the world's largest video game publishers, with blockbuster franchises including Assassin's Creed, Far Cry, Rainbow Six, and Just Dance. Claude Guillemot was instrumental in Ubisoft's early international expansion and later served on the board of directors, holding roles in strategy and corporate governance.
Guillemot had stepped back from day-to-day operations in recent years but remained an advisor and board member. His death marks the second loss for the Guillemot family in recent years; his brother Gérard died in 2021 after a long illness. Ubisoft's current CEO, Yves Guillemot, is the youngest brother and has led the company since its founding.
Ubisoft shares edged down 1.2% in Paris trading on Monday as investors absorbed the news. Analysts said Guillemot's death does not directly affect Ubisoft's strategic direction, since the executive had no operational role. But it removes a stabilizing presence from the boardroom at a time when Ubisoft faces headwinds: sluggish sales for its 2024 blockbuster Skull and Bones, a challenging videogame market, and ongoing scrutiny of its workplace culture following misconduct allegations in 2020.
“Claude was the pillar of the family,” said an unnamed former Ubisoft executive quoted in French media. “He was the quiet force behind the scenes who kept the family united through every crisis.”
The crash adds a personal tragedy to a period of transition for Ubisoft. The company has been restructuring under Yves Guillemot's leadership, cutting costs and refocusing on core franchises. Claude Guillemot's death leaves a hole in the close-knit family that has controlled the firm since its founding.
French authorities have opened a technical investigation into the crash. Preliminary reports suggest no distress signals were sent before the aircraft descended rapidly. The aviation safety bureau (BEA) will release a preliminary report in the coming weeks. For the gaming world, Claude Guillemot's legacy is secure: he helped turn a small French distributor into a global cultural force, one whose characters and worlds have been played by hundreds of millions.
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Ubisoft Co-Founder Claude Guillemot Dead In Plane Crash In France
One of the founding members of Ubisoft, Claude Guillemot, died in a plane crash on Friday, June 19. He was 69.
Paul Tassi, Senior Contributor
Forbes
3 min read
7/10
Angoulême
Key Takeaways
- Claude Guillemot, 69, died in a private plane crash near Angoulême, France, on June 19, 2026, alongside a co-pilot.
- He was one of the five Guillemot brothers who co-founded Ubisoft in 1986; the company now employs over 20,000 people worldwide.
- Guillemot served as a board member and advisor, having stepped back from operational roles years ago; he was not involved in day-to-day management.
- Ubisoft's market capitalization stood at approximately €4.5 billion at the time of his death, and shares fell 1.2% on the Paris exchange the following Monday.
- French aviation investigators from the BEA have launched a probe; no cause has been determined yet, but weather conditions were clear at the time of the crash.
Frequently Asked Questions
Claude Guillemot was one of the five Guillemot brothers who co-founded Ubisoft in 1986. He helped grow the company from a small software distributor in Brittany into a global video game publisher behind franchises like Assassin's Creed and Far Cry.
Claude Guillemot died on June 19, 2026, when the private plane he was aboard crashed in a field near Angoulême, France. The co-pilot also died. The cause is under investigation by French aviation authorities.
Claude Guillemot served on the board of directors and as an advisor after stepping back from day-to-day operations. He was instrumental in Ubisoft's early international expansion and provided strategic guidance over the decades.
His death is not expected to affect Ubisoft's operations or strategy directly, as he was not involved in management. However, it removes a stabilizing family presence during a period of restructuring and market challenges for the company.
The crash occurred in a rural field near Angoulême in southwestern France. Local authorities responded to the scene, and the aviation safety bureau BEA is leading the investigation.
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