British-born actress, singer Jane Birkin dies at 76

By Associated Press: Actor and singer Jane Birkin, who charmed France together with her English grace, pure model and accented French and made the nation her dwelling, 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 model 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 ladies all over the world.

Birkin was additionally celebrated in France for her political activism. In 2022, she joined different display 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, minimize 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.

Parce qu’elle incarnait la liberté, qu’elle chantait les plus beaux mots de notre langue, Jane Birkin était une icône française.

Artiste complète, sa voix était aussi douce que ses engagements étaient ardents.

Elle nous lègue des airs et des photographs qui ne nous quitteront pas. pic.twitter.com/Ad27ngF54R
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) July 16, 2023

French media reported that Birkin was discovered lifeless at her Paris dwelling. 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” model and sweetness.

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 saved her from performing and her public appearances grew to become sparse.

BFM TV mentioned Birkin suffered a light stroke in 2021, forcing her to cancel exhibits that 12 months. She cancelled her exhibits once more in March as a result of a damaged shoulder blade.

A return to performing in May was delay, the French broadcaster mentioned, quoting the singer as saying she wanted a bit extra time and promising her followers she would see them once more come the autumn.