Jean-Francois Deniau | French diplomat, writer, 78

Jean-Francois Deniau, 78, a former French government minister, diplomat, sailor and novelist, died Wednesday in Paris, fellow writer Jean d'Ormesson said.

As an envoy, Mr. Deniau specialized in dangerous missions. He became ambassador to Spain and served in six ministerial posts, ranging from agriculture to foreign minister.

An avid sailor, he crossed the Atlantic in a catamaran in 1995 - just eight weeks after undergoing triple-bypass surgery.

He titled his autobiography Memoirs of Seven Lives, a reference to his many careers.

Mr. Deniau was a member of the Academie Francaise, the gathering of France's literary heavyweights. - AP