Véronique Barbier Returns to RTBF After Cancer Battle
Belgian news anchor Véronique Barbier made her emotional return to the RTBF 13h (1 PM) news broadcast on Monday, August 31, after a 15-month absence spent battling a recurrence of breast cancer. Describing the moment as “the most symbolic, the most emotionally charged” of her life, the 56-year-old journalist called it “a return with the scent of life.”
A Long Road Back
Barbier, who has been a journalist at RTBF since 1994, first faced breast cancer in September 2017, when a routine mammogram revealed bilateral breast cancer. She underwent a mastectomy and was absent from the airwaves for nearly a year. In June 2025, she announced she was experiencing a recurrence of the disease, telling viewers at the end of her broadcast, “I am going to take care of myself. And you, take care of yourselves.” She confirmed to La Libre that she had started treatment and would be away from the airwaves for “a good while.”
During her absence, Barbier remained remarkably open about her journey, regularly updating the public through social media. In January 2026, she shared details of her treatment regimen—post-operative physiotherapy, targeted therapy every three weeks, and upcoming radiotherapy—alongside the joyful news that her hair was growing back. She also used her platform to advocate for women facing what she called the “double peine” (double burden) of cancer, highlighting how financial insecurity compounds the challenges of treatment for many patients. In an interview with RTBF, she asked: “How many women have to go back to work between two chemotherapies, simply to survive?”
The Return
RTBF announced Barbier’s imminent return at its back-to-school press conference on August 26, describing it as a “moving surprise.” She confirmed on August 28 that she would present the 13h news on Monday, August 31, calling it “a return to life.”
On Monday, Barbier resumed her role presenting the 13h broadcast in alternation with Ophélie Fontana. At the end of her first newscast, she delivered a heartfelt message to viewers, as reported by L’Avenir: “That’s it for this newscast, my first in 15 months. I would like to thank you all again for your messages of support during this period. Thank you to my colleagues, to my brother, editor at the newscast, who insisted on accompanying me for this first day. And thank you to RTBF. Despite the news we often bring you, life is beautiful, it is worth fighting for until the end.”
Paris Match Belgique noted that the anchor appeared with a new look—short gray hair—while maintaining her signature warmth and composure. DH Les Sports+ reported that she opened the broadcast with a simple greeting before tackling the day’s news.
A Changed Perspective
In an interview with RTBF, Barbier reflected on how the experience has transformed her. “What I have been through makes me different,” she said. “And I am not afraid to say that I am different. My sensitivity has evolved. I will also put it at the service of building the news, particularly by bringing a little light.”
She also expressed a desire to continue speaking openly about illness, emphasizing her commitment to those facing similar battles: “I simply want to convey a message to people affected by the disease: they are not alone. There are people who think of them. I also do not forget all the people who wrote to me.”
What’s Next
Barbier’s return comes amid significant changes at RTBF, with the news presenting team reshuffled following the departures of Laurent Mathieu and Mariam Alard. Barbier will continue to present the 13h broadcast in alternation with Ophélie Fontana, while Nathalie Maleux and Sébastien Pierret take on the evening news.
For Barbier, this new chapter represents more than a professional milestone. As she put it: “This return has a special taste for me: that of the rebound, of life that is coming.”