Remembering Jane Birkin.
The world mourns the passing of beloved singer and actor Jane Birkin, who passed away at the age of 76 in her home in Paris today on 16 July 2023. The cause of her death has yet to be confirmed.
Style icon Jane Birkin dies at 76
Jane Birkin was a British actress, singer, and fashion icon who captivated audiences with her effortless style and performances in the 1960s and 1970s. She was also best known for her iconic last name and her role in inspiring the creation of the popular Birkin bag by Hermes.
Birkin was famed for her 1969 duet “Je t’aime… moi non plus”, featuring French singer-songwriter Serge Gainsbourg. Her decade-long relationship with Gainsbourg became the most talked-about love story in the late 1960s. They had a daughter named Charlotte Gainsbourg, known for her work in “Melancholia” and “Nymphomaniac”. Additionally, she had two other daughters, Lou Doillon, a musician with director Jacques Doillon, and the late Kate Barry, a photographer with James Bond composer John Barry.
Birkin has made a name for herself by working with renowned filmmakers such as Jacques Rivette and Agnès Varda. Her iconic films include the 1966 Michelangelo Antonioni’s “Blow Up”, the 1991 Jacques Rivette’s “La belle noiseuse”, the 1982 Guy Hamilton’s “Evil Under the Sun” and beyond.
In addition to her success in the entertainment industry, Birkin was known for her humanitarian work and dedication to various charitable causes. Her legacy will continue to inspire artists and activists worldwide for generations.
French TV station BFM TV has reported that Birkin suffered a mild stroke in 2021, forcing her to cancel shows that year. Earlier this year, she withdrew her shows again in March due to a broken shoulder blade.
The former French culture minister, Roselyne Bachelot, told the BFM, “This departure is so sad. She was a beautiful person.”
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Images courtesy of Getty Images
