Jane Birkin, English French Entertainer and Vocalist, Passes Away at 76
Jane Birkin, the beloved English French entertainer and vocalist who spent most of her life in France and is known for her tumultuous relationship with French singer-songwriter Serge Gainsbourg, passed away on Sunday at her home in Paris, according to Le Parisien newspaper. She was 76.
No cause of death has yet been confirmed.
Birkin was internationally renowned for her provocative 1969 duet "Je t'aime… moi non plus" which she sang with Gainsbourg, a year after they met on the set of Pierre Grimblat's "Slogan." Although she hadn't broken through at that point, she had a small yet memorable role in Michelangelo Antonioni's steamy 1966 film "Blow-Up."
Together, Birkin and Gainsbourg had a daughter, actress and singer Charlotte Gainsbourg ("Antichrist," "Nymphomaniac"). After their separation in 1980, the pair remained close and continued their creative collaboration. Birkin was creatively involved in three albums by Gainsbourg, including "Baby Alone in Babylone" in 1983, "Lost Song" in 1987, and "Amours des feintes" in 1990. Birkin also released several solo albums, including "Di Doo Dah," "Ex fan des sixties," and "Lolita Go Home," and collaborated with other renowned artists like Etienne Daho.
Birkin had two other daughters, actress Lou Doillon with French director Jacques Doillon, and Kate Barry, the late photographer, whom she had with her former husband, James Bond composer John Barry.
Arriving in France during the 1960s, Birkin became a fashion icon in the 1970s, importing an effortlessly chic style from "Swinging London." She even inspired the French luxury brand Hermes to create the Birkin bag.
One of her most notable film credits is Jacques Deray's "La Piscine" ("The Swimming Pool") in which she starred opposite Alain Delon and Romy Schneider. She received three nominations at the Cesar Awards, including for "La Pirate," directed by Jacques Doillon. Birkin made her directorial debut with "Boxes," which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2007.
Birkin was portrayed by her daughter Charlotte in the documentary feature "Jane by Charlotte" in 2021. The critically acclaimed intimate documentary screened at Cannes and was nominated for a Cesar Award.
Birkin, cherished for her elegance and understated charm, suffered a stroke in 2021 and had recently broken her shoulder bone, leading her to cancel several shows in Spring. Just recently, Birkin participated in the televised charity show organized by "Les Enfoirés." Only three months ago, in May, Birkin canceled another round of shows that were scheduled at the Olympia and La Cigale theaters in Paris, stating that while she had "always been a great optimist," she realized that she "needed a little extra time to be able to be on stage." Birkin was also struck by the tragic death of her eldest daughter, Kate Barry, in an apparent suicide years ago. She evoked Kate in her final album "Oh! Pardon tu dormais…"
