British-born actress and singer Jane Birkin, a 1960s icon in France, has died in Paris aged 76
Jane Birkin, the British actress, pop singer, and influential figure behind the iconic Hermès Birkin designer handbag, has passed away at the age of 76.
Born in London, Birkin made France her home and rose to international stardom through her musical and romantic partnership with French singer Serge Gainsbourg. With her signature long, eye-skimming fringe and timeless wardrobe, Birkin embodied the effortless French-chic style that captivated audiences.
Birkin's journey to fame began shortly after she arrived in Paris and fell in love with French actor and singer Serge Gainsbourg. Their relationship became a subject of public fascination, as Gainsbourg was nearly two decades older than Birkin. The couple collaborated professionally, famously performing the sultry duet Je t’aime… moi non plus, a song whose explicit lyrics led to its ban in several countries.
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President Emmanuel Macron tweeted, “Because she embodied freedom and sang the most beautiful words in our language, Jane Birkin was a French icon,” expressing the nation's admiration for her after news of her passing broke.