PARIS – Actress and singer Jane Birkin, who charmed France with her English grace, style and French accent and made the country her home, has died at the age of 76, according to the French culture ministry and French media.
Widely admired for her fashion style, the London-born star was best known for her musical and romantic relationship with French singer Serge Gainsbourg. Notable among her songs was the steamy “Je t’aime moi non plus,” which mingled Birkin’s ethereal British-accented singing voice with his gruff baritone.
The star is said to be the inspiration for the Birkin bag, a designer handbag from Hermès. The exclusive bags, which retail for $9,000 to $500,000 and are hard to come by, are loved by celebrities like the Kardashians, Cardi B, Jennifer Lopez, Mariah Carey, Victoria Beckham and Lady Gaga.
Birkin was also celebrated in France for her political commitment. In 2022, she joined other French stars in cutting her hair in support of Iranian women protesting oppressive modesty laws. Charlotte Gainsbourg, Birkin’s daughter with Gainsbourg, cut off a lock of her mother’s hair to honor Mahsa Amini, who died after being arrested by the morality police.
Cardi B addresses the criticism of the Birkin bag:“You shouldn’t do this to these white celebrities”
The French culture ministry tweeted that Birkin died on Sunday. She was hailed as a “timeless francophone icon”.
French news outlets Libération and BFM TV reported that Birkin was found dead at her home in Paris. The French newspaper Le Figaro reported that in recent years Birkin has suffered from health problems that have prevented her from performing and her public appearances have become less frequent.
BFM TV said Birkin suffered a mild stroke in 2021 that forced her to cancel shows that year. In March she canceled her appearances again because of a broken shoulder blade.
A return to performances in May has been postponed, the French broadcaster said. He quoted the singer as saying she needed a little more time and promised her fans to see her again in the fall.
Featuring: Rasha Ali and Kim Willis, USA TODAY
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