Jane Birkin on the set of “Don Juan” in 1973.AFP via Getty Images file
British-born actor and singer Jane Birkin, known for inspiring the famous Birkin bag, has passed away at the age of 76 in Paris. The French Culture Ministry referred to her as a “timeless Francophone icon.” Birkin gained international recognition for her sexually explicit 1969 hit “Je t’aime… moi non plus,” performed with her then-lover, the late French singer and songwriter Serge Gainsbourg.
Having lived in France since the late 1960s, Birkin was not only acclaimed for her singing and acting career but also admired for her warm nature and advocacy for women’s and LGBTQ rights. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo described her as the “most Parisian of the English” and praised her songs, laughter, and incomparable accent.
Born in London in 1946, Birkin started her career at the age of 17 and achieved notoriety for her appearance in the controversial 1966 film “Blow-Up.” However, it was in France that she truly became a star, thanks to her relationship with Gainsbourg, her tomboyish style, and her endearing British accent when speaking French.
After her breakup with Gainsbourg in 1981, Birkin continued to pursue her artistic endeavors as a singer and actor, releasing albums and performing on stage. She collaborated with Gainsbourg on multiple occasions, including albums such as “Baby Alone in Babylone” and “Amour des Feintes.”
Jane Birkin leaves behind a lasting legacy in the entertainment industry, surviving through her two daughters, singer and actor Charlotte Gainsbourg and actor Lou Doillon. She also had a daughter, Kate, who passed away in 2013.
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