What is Henri Paul?
{{No references}} {{Infobox person | name = Henri Paul | image = Henri PAUL.png | caption = Henri Paul in 1988 | birth_date = {{birth date|1956|7|3|df=y}} | birth_place = [[Lorient]], France | death_date = {{death date and age|1997|8|31|1956|7|3|df=y}} | death_place = [[Paris]], France | death_cause = [[Traffic collision]] | nationality = French | parents = Jean Paul<br>Gisèle Paul | occupation = Head of Security at the [[Hôtel Ritz Paris]] | known = Driving the [[Mercedes-Benz]] in which [[Diana, Princess of Wales]], [[Dodi Fayed]] and himself died | years active = 1986–1997 | employer = [[Mohamed Al-Fayed]] }} '''Henri Paul''' (3 July 1956 &ndash; 31 August 1997) was a French [[chauffeur]]. He was Head of Security at the [[Hôtel Ritz Paris]] in [[Paris]], [[France]]. He was best known for being the hotel's hired chauffeur for the [[Mercedes-Benz]] in which [[Diana, Princess of Wales]], [[Dodi Fayed]] and himself died. ==Education and career== Born in [[Lorient]], Paul was one of the five children of Jean Paul, a teacher, and Gisèle Paul, who worked at the city council. Paul earned his [[pilot]]'s license at age 18 from [[Vannes]] and served in the [[Air Force]]. After graduating from [[high school]], he decided to move to [[Paris]]. He worked as an [[aviation]] instructor. Later he sold [[boats]]. In 1986, he was hired at the [[Hôtel Ritz Paris]]. He became a confidant of Mohamed Al-Fayed, the owner of the hotel. Initially deputy head of security, on June 30, 1997, he became the head of security at the Ritz. ==Death== Paul was on duty the night of August 31, 1997, taking [[Diana, Princess of Wales]] and [[Dodi Al-Fayed]] from the [[Hôtel Ritz Paris]] to an apartment on rue Arsène Houssaye, a short distance from the hotel. At the wheel of a [[Mercedes S280]], Paul drove at high speed in order to outrun the [[paparazzi]] who were chasing the vehicle. When it arrived at the ent