Céleste Albaret was born with the name ‘Gineste Augustine Célestine’ the 17 May 1891 at Auxillac (Lozère (département)|Lozère) and deceased the 25 April 1984 at Montfort-l’Amaury, was the devoted servant of Marcel Proust.
On the 28th March 1913, Céleste Gineste married Odilon Albaret, taxi driver of whomMarcel Proust was a regular client.
In 1914, at the instigation of her husband who had told Proust that his wife was bored with nothing to do, she became a very young servant of the writer.
Accompanying Proust even during his irregular hours, putting up with his strange way of dressing, eating , his unusual behavior, his physical exhaustion, she nevertheless remained with him until his death in 1922.
After the First World War, Proust lived more and more exclusively. In her own way, Céleste took down his dictations, collected and verified facts, took care of his contacts with the outside world , even became a character in one of his books, until he had completed his chef d’oeuvre.
After the death of Proust Celeste and her husband opened a hotel in the 6th arrondissement of Paris in Rue des Canettes.
Totally forgotten Celeste outlived nearly all of the famous people who had known Proust. She was rediscovered in the 1970’s notably by the famous book lover and collector Jacques Guérin. With his encouragement she recalled her memories which published in the book ”Monsieur Proust”, Robert Laffont, 1973 {{ISBN|2221013301}}
She also sold Jacques several books given to her by Proust himself. These are considered to be the most sought after treasures by French booklovers.
In recognition of her contribution to literature and it’s preservation Céleste Albaret was made
En raison de sa contribution à l’histoire de la littérature et à sa préservation, Céleste Albaret “commandeur de l’ordre des Arts et Lettres”, just before her death.
Due to her devotion and respect of Marcel Proust’s needs and behaviour Céleste Albaret is considered to be one of the finest examples of a helper for a literary figures.
Céleste Albaret is also the heroine of an imaginary diary, ”Moi Céleste Albaret, gouvernante de Marcel Proust”, written by Lina Lachgar
A LA Recherche Du Temps Perdu (French Edition)
Celeste is one of those extraordinary people who chose to devote their lives to someone else’s greatness and becomes in a way their back bone. History doesn’t thank them enough.
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