Societal Elite's Association with Long-Time KGB Operative

L'Express, a major French magazine, has revealed that its former editor, Philippe Grumbach, was a spy for the KGB for 35 years. Grumbach was a well-connected figure in French society and had close relationships with presidents, actors, and literary giants. He was highly respected in the field of journalism and played a significant role in shaping the editorial direction of L'Express. However, alongside his influential career, Grumbach lived a double life as a KGB spy known as "Brok." The evidence of his espionage activities can be found in the Mitrokhin archives, which were smuggled out of Soviet archives in 1992. The documents detailed the characteristics of Westerners who spied for the Soviet Union, and they included biographical information that matched Grumbach's. Etienne Girard, the co-author of the exposé on Grumbach, discovered his involvement with the KGB after being alerted by a friend. Girard contacted the French secret service for confirmation and continued to uncover more details about Grumbach's activities. Born into a Jewish family in Paris in 1924, Grumbach fled France during World War II and joined the US army. After the war, he worked for the AFP news agency before being hired by L'Express in 1954. Throughout his career, Grumbach maintained relationships with influential figures, helped rehabilitate politicians' reputations, and enjoyed a high-profile wedding attended by well-known individuals. Despite Grumbach's double life, the exact nature of his espionage missions remains unclear. Some speculate that financial incentives played a significant role in his continued involvement with the KGB. However, the Soviet agency eventually severed ties with Grumbach, deeming him insincere and exaggerating his abilities. Grumbach kept his past hidden, rebuffing attempts by journalists to uncover his spy activities. Nevertheless, he did eventually disclose the truth to his wife before his death. The current exposé on Grumbach has garnered significant attention within the French media landscape, as he was a towering figure in the industry. Despite his role as a spy, L'Express emphasizes that Grumbach's work as an editor and journalist was separate from his espionage activities. The KGB strategically wanted him to maintain his cover as a centrist bourgeois to avoid suspicion.