Beloved British Actress and Singer Jane Birkin Dies at 76 in Paris
PARIS, July 16 – Jane Birkin, the British-born actress and singer who became a beloved figure in France, passed away in Paris at the age of 76, according to the French Culture Ministry. The country mourns the loss of a “timeless Francophone icon.”
Local media reported that Birkin was found dead at her home. She had suffered a mild stroke in 2021 and had previously experienced heart problems.
Birkin gained international recognition for her 1969 hit song “Je t’aime…moi non plus,” a sexually explicit duet with her then-lover, the late French singer and songwriter Serge Gainsbourg.
Having lived in France since the late 1960s, Birkin was not only known for her singing and acting career but also for her warm nature and her staunch advocacy for women’s and LGBT rights.
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo described Birkin as “the most Parisian of the English” and expressed that the city will always remember her songs, her laughter, and her distinctive accent.
Born in London in December 1946, Jane Mallory Birkin was the daughter of British actress Judy Campbell and Royal Navy commander David Birkin. She began her career at the age of 17 and later appeared in the 1965 musical “Passion Flower Hotel.”
Birkin gained notoriety for her role in the controversial 1966 film “Blow-Up,” where she appeared naked in a threesome scene. However, it was in France that she truly rose to fame, thanks to her romantic relationship with Gainsbourg and her unique style and British accent when speaking French.
After her breakup with Gainsbourg in 1981, Birkin continued to pursue her career as a singer and actress. She released several albums, including “Baby Alone in Babylone” in 1983 and “Amour des Feintes” in 1990, both written and composed by Gainsbourg. She also wrote her own album, “Arabesque,” in 2002.
French singer Etienne Daho, who produced and composed Birkin’s last album in 2020, expressed his disbelief at living in a world without her.
Birkin and Gainsbourg first met on the set of the film “Slogan” in 1969, shortly after Gainsbourg’s breakup with Brigitte Bardot. They captivated the nation with their love affair, and the same year, they released the provocative song “Je T’Aime… Moi Non Plus,” which was banned by the BBC and condemned by the Vatican.
Gainsbourg’s alcoholism eventually strained their relationship, and Birkin left him in 1981 to live with film director Jacques Doillon. However, she remained close to Gainsbourg until his death in 1991.
Birkin also inspired the iconic Birkin bag by French luxury house Hermès. Chief executive Jean-Louis Dumas witnessed her struggling with her straw bag on a flight to London, which led to the creation of the now-famous handbag.
She is survived by her two daughters, singer and actress Charlotte and actress Lou Doillon. Birkin also had a daughter, Kate, who sadly passed away in 2013.
The world mourns the loss of Jane Birkin, a talented and beloved figure who left an indelible mark on French culture and beyond.
(Reporting by John Irish; Editing by David Goodman and Frances Kerry)