PEGGY BOUCHET
1st woman who dared to row across the Atlantic
Photo credits: Laurent Bleuze (RTS)
Peggy Bouchet
First woman to dare to row solo across the Atlantic.
Passionate speaker, entrepreneur and committed woman.
From a very early age, I learned to cultivate my audacity, my ability to adapt and to learn from each experience. I understood that life is never written, it’s up to us to build it through our own decisions and efforts!
Today, as a well-known speaker and president of the “Association Enfants du Léman”, I inspire through my audacity, my support for young people as part of the new OZINSPIRE program and my commitment to women’s empowerment.
Discover my story, my career and my many awards.
Photo credits: Jean-Marc Lecerf
Atlantic Adventuress
At 23, I was an export financial engineer for a major group. Passionate about adventure and the sea, my project to row solo across the Atlantic took shape, a feat never achieved by a woman before.
After two years of effort, of sacrifices and a meticulous preparation with my team, on March 10, 1998, I left the Canaries for the West Indies. After 5 500 km, alone at sea for 79 days, rowing 10 hours a day and one day before arrival in Guadeloupe, the boat capsized in a raging sea (7/8 meter high waves), the dream turned into a nightmare.
I then endured 9 long hours straddled on the hull of my sinking boa. I survived and was rescued at the last minute.
But I did not accept this unfinished victory. I was the first to demonstrate that a woman can achieve such a feat and swore to do it again. True to my motto, “Always dare, sometimes give in, never give up”, 18 months later, more determined than ever, I left Cape Verde Islands. After 4,200 km, 800 000 rowing strokes, in January 2000, I arrived in Martinique with the extraordinary satisfaction of having achieved my goal.
Inspirational speaker
To date, I have given over 500 talks in France and in Europe for a variety of audiences, from major corporations and startups to SMEs and institutional bodies. I share essential themes such as audacity, positive management, resilience, adaptability and the importance of turning failures into opportunities.
Whether it’s human or entrepreneurial, adventure is a great school of life and action, enabling us to constantly explore our individual and collective resources, and mobilize our creativity and energy.
Photo credits: Alain Zimeray
Committed to a better world
I’m very involved in various areas that are close to my heart. When life seems difficult, let’s not systematically wish it to be more lenient, but let’s decide to be stronger, more creative and benevolent.
In 2016, I founded the “Association Enfants du Léman” to make the dreams come true of children with critical illnesses. As part of the OZINSPIRE program launched in 2024, I support young people in encouraging the culture of projects and developing their talents. My commitment to women’s empowerment has enabled me to speak at prestigious events such as the WOMEN’S FORUM in Paris. As godmother of the Évian French Navy Training Center (PMM), I share my experience and values with young trainees.
Contact me
To find out how my background and commitments can inspire your projects or support your initiatives, don’t hesitate to contact me.