Chantal Sébire was a retired 53-year-old French teacher living in Plombières-lès-Dijon nearby Dijon in France, who suffered from esthesioneuroblastoma, a rare and incurable form of cancer. It is so rare that in the past 20 years there have been only 200 reported cases. In Chantal's case the disease left her severely disfigured and partially disabled. She first gained recognition in February 2008 when she made a public appeal to the French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, to allow her to die through euthanasia. On March 17, 2008, in a French court, she lost her appeal to die. On March 19, 2008, she was found dead in her home. Chantal was the subject of an article in Time magazine. Her plight and subsequent death were reported in many countries, including France, the United Kingdom, The Netherlands, Hungary, Italy, Spain, Russia, the United States, and Australia.

An autopsy conducted on March 21, 2008 concluded that she died of an overdose of barbituates. Chantal is survived by her three children. Her death revived the debate over euthanasia in France, and her courage will continue to inspire those who fight for the right to die with dignity.