Josette Alia was born on 25 November 1929 in La Ferté-Bernard, Sarthe, France. She was married to Raouf Ben Brahem. She died on 1 May 2014 in Perpignan, Pyrénées-Orientales, France.
Important French journalist at 'Le Monde' then 'Le Nouvel Observateur'.She interviewed may leaders and wrote lively, precise articles on many subjects.Author of a few books, including a novel 'Le Pensionnat. based on the actions of her parents who were teachers who sheltered Jewish children during the Nazi occupation.