By JOHN LEICESTER (Associated Press)
PARIS (AP) — Actor and singer Jane Birkin, who charmed France along with her English grace, pure fashion and accented French and made the nation her residence, has died at age 76.
The London-born star and trend icon was recognized for her musical and romantic relationship with French singer Serge Gainsbourg. Their songs notably included the steamy “Je t’aime moi non plus” (“I Love You, Me Neither”), with Birkin’s ethereal, British-accented singing voice interlacing along with his gruff baritone.
The fashion Birkin displayed within the Nineteen Sixties and early Nineteen Seventies — lengthy hair with bangs, denims paired with white tops, knit mini attire and basket luggage — nonetheless epitomizes the peak of French stylish for a lot of girls world wide.
Birkin additionally was celebrated in France for her political activism. In 2022, she joined different display screen and music stars in France in chopping off locks of their hair in assist of protesters in Iran. Charlotte Gainsbourg, Birkin’s daughter with Gainsbourg and likewise an actor in her personal proper, lower off a lock of her mom’s hair for the “HairForFreedom” marketing campaign as Iran was engulfed by anti-government protests.
French President Emmanuel Macron hailed Birkin as a “complete artist.”
“Jane Birkin was a French icon because she was the incarnation of freedom, sang the most beautiful words of our language,” he tweeted.
French media reported that Birkin was discovered lifeless at her Paris residence. The French Culture Ministry tweeted that Birkin died Sunday. It hailed her as a “timeless Francophone icon.”
Birkin’s early film credit included “Blow-Up” in 1966, credited with serving to introduce French audiences to her “Swinging Sixties” fashion and wonder.
Birkin and Gainsbourg met two years later. She remained his muse even after the couple separated in 1980.
She additionally had a daughter, Kate, with James Bond composer John Barry. Kate Barry died in 2013 at age 46. Birkin had her third daughter, singer and mannequin Lou Doillon, with French director Jacques Doillon.
French newspaper Le Figaro reported that Birkin had suffered from well being points up to now few years that stored her from performing and her public appearances turned sparse.
BFM TV stated Birkin suffered a light stroke in 2021, forcing her to cancel exhibits that 12 months. She canceled her exhibits once more in March as a result of a damaged shoulder blade.
A return to performing in May was postpone, the French broadcaster stated, quoting the singer as saying she wanted a bit extra time and promising her followers she would see them once more come the autumn.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”