Christophe Biver, a Luxembourg national abandoned as a baby, explains that his search is not about seeking answers for why he was left or expecting a new family relationship. All he hopes is to know more about his origins.
Biver's story reflects the rare, open appeals for identity in a country where the law leaves little room for children 'born under X', or those whose birth mothers choose to remain anonymous.
Inspired by the testimony of another 'born under X', Frédéric Blanjard, Biver decided to speak publicly about his own journey.
Like many in his situation, he has exhausted almost every way to trace his biological roots, with little success.
In Luxembourg, the legislation is strict: if a birth mother opts for anonymity, her child is granted almost no access to information, even when health or personal history are at stake. Still, Biver remains hopeful.
Biver recounts how his life began: his biological mother was admitted to the Grand Duchess Charlotte maternity ward in Luxembourg at 5.15am on 24 May 1982, and he was born at 7.25am.
"She did not waste any time", he remarks with a smile. Because the birth was anonymous, the midwife, Christiane, was responsible for registering him with the Luxembourg City authorities and gave him the provisional name Pierre Christian.
His mother stayed in the maternity ward until 28 May before leaving without a trace. Her story, Christophe believes, was likely a difficult one.
There are no details about his father either; he was not recognised as his son, and Biver has no information at all.
He suspects his father may have been absent even before his birth.
Despite these circumstances, Biver says he was fortunate in one respect: he did not have to wait long for a family.
He was adopted on 9 November 1982 by a Luxembourg couple.
His adoptive mother was unable to have children, and the family had adopted a child six years earlier. However, Biver notes that his relationship with his adoptive brother is distant.
Biver describes his childhood as happy and says his adoptive parents gave him everything he needed.
He only learned he was adopted while in primary school, when his parents shared the truth with him and assured him of their support should he ever wish to search for his origins.
He does not remember any difficulties at school because of his background.
It was only as he grew older and more independent, and especially after his adoptive parents divorced, that the desire to know more about his biological family became stronger, as he felt the need to put a name and a face to the person who brought him into the world.
Unexpectedly, support came from Christiane, the midwife who had registered his birth. Through his own research, Biver managed to find her.
She became an important presence in his life, almost like a "third mother", and remains emotionally invested in his journey and always does her best to help.
Biver says they see each other often, and he told her as much on his 40th birthday.
Christiane’s memories of the birth are limited, but she remembers that Biver's mother was very young, perhaps only sixteen or seventeen years old at the time.
Today, Biver works as a qualified educator, supporting young people in need of assisted housing, which has only sharpened his own longing for answers.
He notes that it can be difficult to help others if you are not at peace with yourself. Despite the uncertainties, he has been able to build a life and a family of his own.
In December 2014, he began the official process to obtain his original birth certificate. The birth of his daughter in 2017, followed by a son in 2021, made his search for identity even more urgent.
He explains that from the start, he was told it would be extremely difficult to trace his biological parents in Luxembourg, but he has never given up hope.
Biver's search is also motivated by practical concerns. After being diagnosed with a heart condition, he wants to know if there is a family medical history, which is information that could be important for his children as well.
He believes that while a mother’s wish for anonymity at birth should be respected, when children reach adulthood, they should have access to essential information about their origins.
In his view, "the law must change" to make this possible.
Having reached a dead end in his search, Christophe Biver is now making a public appeal in the hope that his mother, or someone who knows her, might come forward.
He says he has exhausted every available option and cannot find any new information. Even a first name or any small detail about his mother or his birth would be enough for him.
Ideally, a meeting would be the greatest gift of his life, if his mother agreed.
It would allow him to say he truly has three mothers: a biological mother, an adoptive mother, and a midwife.
Anyone wishing to contact Christophe Biver can email RTL at rtlinfos@rtl.lu. Anonymity will be respected.
