Edith Bonlieu came from a skiing family, although her brother, François Bonlieu, achieved more fame as a skier, winning the 1964 Olympic giant slalom gold medal. Edith was a three-time French champion and competed at the 1956 Winter Olympics. She eventually married 1960 Olympic downhill champion Jean Vuarnet. Edith Bonlieu and her youngest son, Patrick, eventually joined the Order of the Solar Temple cult. In 1994-95, the cult carried out mass suicides in several Swiss villages and Edith and Patrick were among those who took their own lives.