Jeanne de Salzmann was Gurdjieff's closest associate for many decades and she became the spiritual head of the Work after his death in 1949. She carried out this responsibility with remarkable energy and creativity until she died in 1990 at the age of 101. Under her leadership the Gurdjieff foundations were established, connections among the groups were strengthened and Gurdjieff's writings were published. With her guidance, the film Meetings with Remarkable Men, directed by Peter Brook, and a series of films documenting the sacred dances and exercises were produced.

   A spiritual master, Jeanne de Salzmann demonstrated a connection with subtle energies as she called them and inspired pupils to work to fulfill their "human" responsibility.