Posted Jul 16, 2023 9:24AM ET
Actress and singer Jane Birkin, who enchanted France with her grace, style and English accent and gave her the nickname the patriot, has died at the age of 76, according to the French Ministry of Culture and French media.
Widely admired for her dressing style, the London-born star is best known for her musical and romantic relationship with French singer Serge Gainsbourg. Their hits notably included “Je t’aime moi non plus”, with Birkin’s ethereal British-accented singing voice intertwined with his raspy voice.
She was also celebrated in France for her political activism. In 2022, she joined other screen and music stars in France to cut locks of her hair in support of the protesters in Iran. Charlotte Gainsbourg, daughter of Birkin de Gainsbourg, cut a lock of her mother’s hair for this photo campaign.
The French Ministry of Culture tweeted that Birkin had died on Sunday. He praised her as a “timeless Francophone icon”.
French news agencies Liberation and BFM TV reported that Birkin had been found dead in her home in Paris, with French newspaper Le Figaro reporting that Birkin had suffered from health problems in recent years that prevented her from performing and that his public appearances had become rare.
BFM TV said Birkin suffered a mild stroke in 2021, which forced her to cancel shows that year. She canceled her concerts in March due to a broken shoulder.
French radio said that the return to the stage in May was postponed, quoting the singer as saying that she needed more time, and promising her fans to see them again in the fall.
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BFM TV said Birkin suffered a mild stroke in 2021, which forced her to cancel shows that year. She canceled her shows back in March due to a broken shoulder.
A return to performing in May was postponed, French radio said, quoting the singer as saying she needed more time and promising her fans that she would see them again in the fall.
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