Mamoudou Gassama

About

Malian migrant and later French citizen who is famous for the viral video of himself helping save a four year old boy dangling from a balcony in Paris, earning him the nickname "Mali Spiderman". 

Before Fame

Born and raised in Mali, he first arrived in France in 2017 after taking a long and dangerous journey to Europe from a boat over the Mediterranean to Italy. On May 26, 2018 he was filmed rescuing a child hanging precariously from a large balcony. He described the event saying "I just didn't have time to think, I ran across the road to go and save him". 

Trivia

In addition to earning citizenship, he was also offered a position in the French fire services for his heroic rescue. 

Family Life

He was born and raised in Mali and became a naturalized French citizen in May of 2018. 

Associated With

Emmanuel Macron awarded him a special medal and diploma for his bravery along with granting him French citizenship in May of 2018.