Singer and actor Jane Birkin dies at the age of 76

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Jane Birkin, the British-born actress and singer who relocated to France, her adopted country since the 1960s, has died in Paris at the age of 76.

Birkin’s wife-like, almost androgynous style made her a hit with French audiences after she rose to stardom through a series of collaborations with the late singer and songwriter Serge Gainsbourg.

The pair, who were lovers, became notorious for their provocative 1969 ballad “Je time… moi non plus”, although Birkin released several of her own albums, appeared in film roles and had a long career of touring and performing. . , especially in France.

France’s culture ministry confirmed Birkin’s death on Sunday and hailed her collaborations with some of the country’s biggest film and music figures, from singer Etienne Dahou to the late director Agnes Varda. The ministry called Birkin a “timeless francophone icon”.

Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, writing on Twitter, called Birkin “unforgettable with a unique voice and charm”.

Birkin was found at home in her Paris apartment on Sunday by a nursing aide, according to Le Parisien newspaper and BFM TV, which first reported her death. He had recently canceled a series of planned concerts, citing health problems.

Birkin was born in London in 1946; His mother was an actress, his father a naval commander. He captivated French audiences with his tumultuous love life as well as his style and music. Part of his charm came from his English accent which he never lost. Her wide-eyed look, straight hair and fringe, and tomboyish style were widely admired and copied.

In later decades she was also the inspiration for the luxury Hermès leather “Birkin” bags, whose prices start at $10,000, which were designed in her honor and launched in 1984.

Birkin’s life was also full of tragedy. Kate Barrie, a daughter from a relationship with musician John Barrie, died in 2013 at the age of 46. Birkin is survived by two other daughters – Charlotte Gainsbourg, whose father was Serge Gainsbourg, and Lou Doillon, her daughter with the French director Jacques Doillon. Both are actresses.

Birkin met Gainsbourg on the British set of his film Slogan, The pair recorded “Je tième… moi non plus”, which Gainsbourg had originally written for former partner Brigitte Bardot. The song’s explicit sighs and explicit sexual lyrics shocked at the time, and it was banned by the BBC and radio stations from Brazil to Spain, although it still reached number one in the UK.

The pair became regulars at Parisian nightclubs, but Birkin’s relationship with Gainsbourg, a heavy drinker, fell apart in the early 1980s.

Birkin also starred la piscineA 1969 film with French film legend Alain Delon and the late Romy Schneider.

She has maintained her status as a fashion idol in recent years by performing her hit “Baby Alone in Babylon” in the middle of the Gucci catwalk show at the former Palace nightclub in Paris in 2018.

Singer Daho, who collaborated with Birkin on albums, said on social media on Sunday: “Living in a world without your light is unimaginable.”

Get Free Jane Birkin Updates

we will send you one myFT Daily Digest Latest Email Rounding jane birkin News every morning.

Jane Birkin, the British-born actress and singer who relocated to France, her adopted country since the 1960s, has died in Paris at the age of 76.

Birkin’s wife-like, almost androgynous style made her a hit with French audiences after she rose to stardom through a series of collaborations with the late singer and songwriter Serge Gainsbourg.

The pair, who were lovers, became notorious for their provocative 1969 ballad “Je time… moi non plus”, although Birkin released several of her own albums, appeared in film roles and had a long career of touring and performing. . , especially in France.

France’s culture ministry confirmed Birkin’s death on Sunday and hailed her collaborations with some of the country’s biggest film and music figures, from singer Etienne Dahou to the late director Agnes Varda. The ministry called Birkin a “timeless francophone icon”.

Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, writing on Twitter, called Birkin “unforgettable with a unique voice and charm”.

Birkin was found at home in her Paris apartment on Sunday by a nursing aide, according to Le Parisien newspaper and BFM TV, which first reported her death. He had recently canceled a series of planned concerts, citing health problems.

Birkin was born in London in 1946; His mother was an actress, his father a naval commander. He captivated French audiences with his tumultuous love life as well as his style and music. Part of his charm came from his English accent which he never lost. Her wide-eyed look, straight hair and fringe, and tomboyish style were widely admired and copied.

In later decades she was also the inspiration for the luxury Hermès leather “Birkin” bags, whose prices start at $10,000, which were designed in her honor and launched in 1984.

Birkin’s life was also full of tragedy. Kate Barrie, a daughter from a relationship with musician John Barrie, died in 2013 at the age of 46. Birkin is survived by two other daughters – Charlotte Gainsbourg, whose father was Serge Gainsbourg, and Lou Doillon, her daughter with the French director Jacques Doillon. Both are actresses.

Birkin met Gainsbourg on the British set of his film Slogan, The pair recorded “Je tième… moi non plus”, which Gainsbourg had originally written for former partner Brigitte Bardot. The song’s explicit sighs and explicit sexual lyrics shocked at the time, and it was banned by the BBC and radio stations from Brazil to Spain, although it still reached number one in the UK.

The pair became regulars at Parisian nightclubs, but Birkin’s relationship with Gainsbourg, a heavy drinker, fell apart in the early 1980s.

Birkin also starred la piscineA 1969 film with French film legend Alain Delon and the late Romy Schneider.

She has maintained her status as a fashion idol in recent years by performing her hit “Baby Alone in Babylon” in the middle of the Gucci catwalk show at the former Palace nightclub in Paris in 2018.

Singer Daho, who collaborated with Birkin on albums, said on social media on Sunday: “Living in a world without your light is unimaginable.”