Paris, France — Renowned British-born actress and singer Jane Birkin, a free-spirited icon of the 1960s who captured the hearts of the French people, has died at the age of 76 in her Paris residence.
The French Culture Ministry expressed profound sorrow over the loss of a “timeless Francophone icon.”
According to local media reports citing close associates, Birkin was discovered lifeless at her home. It was revealed that Birkin had suffered a mild stroke in 2021, following previous struggles with heart ailments, reported Sky.
Although Birkin gained international recognition for her 1969 hit song “Je t’aime…moi non plus,” in which she and her former partner, the late French singer and songwriter Serge Gainsbourg, provocatively sang about their passion, she had called France her home since the late 1960s. In addition to her illustrious singing career and numerous film roles, she was revered for her warmth, unwavering advocacy for women’s and LGBT rights, and her strong presence.
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo described Birkin as the “epitome of a Parisian Englishwoman.” She stated, “Her songs, her laughter, and her inimitable accent will forever resonate within us.”
Farewell to this endlessly inspirational icon. I thought Jane Birkin would be with us for so much longer. Her effortless style remains so timeless and prevalent today. I’ve admired her for so many years for her free spirit and consummate artistry. We might not all have a Birkin… pic.twitter.com/tS69Ev5FmL
— Vintage Los Angeles (@alisonmartino) July 16, 2023
Born Jane Mallory Birkin in London in December 1946 to British actress Judy Campbell and Royal Navy commander David Birkin, she made her stage debut at the age of 17. Shortly thereafter, she appeared in the 1965 musical “Passion Flower Hotel,” composed and conducted by John Barry, whom she married. However, their marriage concluded in the late 1960s.
Prior to her emergence across the English Channel at the age of 22, Birkin garnered notoriety for her role in the controversial 1966 film “Blow-Up” by Michelangelo Antonioni, in which she appeared nude in a provocative threesome scene.
Nonetheless, it was in France that Birkin truly soared to stardom, owing to her captivating romance with the tormented French icon, Serge Gainsbourg. Her boyish charm, endearing British accent while speaking French, and deliberate cultivation of her own unique style only added to her popularity.
Following the end of her relationship with Gainsbourg in 1981, Birkin continued to flourish as a singer and actress. She graced the stage and released albums such as “Baby Alone in Babylone” in 1983 and “Amour des Feintes” in 1990, both featuring lyrics and music by Gainsbourg. In 2002, she composed her own album, “Arabesque,” and in 2009, she delighted fans with a collection of live recordings titled “Jane at the Palace.”
French singer Etienne Daho, who produced and composed Birkin’s final album in 2020, expressed his grief, saying, “It’s inconceivable to imagine a world without you.”
The film “Slogan” in 1969 marked the first meeting between Birkin and Gainsbourg, who was recovering from a break-up with Brigitte Bardot. Their immediate connection sparked a love affair that captivated the entire nation. In the same year, they released the risqué hit song “Je T’Aime… Moi Non Plus,” originally intended for Bardot. The explicit lyrics by Gainsbourg were accentuated by Birkin’s breathy moans and cries. The song faced a ban by the BBC and condemnation from the Vatican.
As Gainsbourg’s alcohol consumption began to erode their relationship, Birkin departed from him in 1981 to live with film director Jacques Doillon. However, she remained close to the troubled singer until his death in March 1991.
Around the same time, Birkin became the muse for the legendary Birkin bag, created by the French luxury house Hermes. The inspiration for this iconic fashion accessory came when Jean-Louis Dumas, the CEO of Hermes, observed Birkin struggling with her straw bag during a flight to London, which resulted in its contents spilling onto the floor.
Birkin leaves behind two daughters: singer and actress Charlotte, born in 1971, and actress Lou Doillon, born in 1982. Sadly, she also had a daughter named Kate, who was born in 1967 and tragically passed away in 2013.
The passing of Jane Birkin marks the end of an era. Her indelible contributions to the arts and her unwavering spirit will forever be remembered, ensuring her legacy as a cherished icon lives on.
