Jane Birkin, the British actress, pop singer and namesake of the Hermès Birkin designer handbag, died on Sunday. She was 76.
Born in London, Birkin adopted France as her home country, where she became an international star after striking up a musical and romantic partnership with French singer Serge Gainsbourg. Known for her long, eye-skimming bangs and classic wardrobe, Birkin epitomized the effortless French-chic style.
The French Ministry of Culture, which confirmed her death, called her a “timeless Francophone icon.”
“The most French of Britons is gone,” culture minister Rima Abdul Malak said in a tweet. “Jane B was mischief, impertinent elegance, the never-outdated emblem of an entire era, a murmuring voice that remains our idol.”
Birkin’s acting credits include a minor role in the 1966 crime rom-com Kaleidoscope and the 1978 adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile.
In 1968, Birkin joined Gainsbourg for the breathy hit “Je T’aime… Moi Non Plus” (“I Love You… Me Neither”). The song was banned from radio play in several countries and condemned by the Vatican for its sexual innuendos and heavy breathing — which only made its popularity skyrocket.
Birkin and Gainsbourg, who died in 1991, were together for 12 years but remained friends and collaborators after their split.
The Birkin bag, a luxury “it” bag known for its lofty price tag, was first created in 1984 for the actress by Hermès CEO Jean-Louis Dumas. Birkin had asked Dumas for a larger version of the Hermès Kelly bag, and he sketched out a design for her on a plane sick bag.
Birkin was also known for her activism, and she asked for her name to be pulled from association with the popular crocodile-skin version of the Birkin bag in 2015 over concerns of animal cruelty.
The actress died at her home in Paris, according to French media reports. She had recently called off concerts due to health issues.
She is survived by two daughters, singer-actresses Charlotte Gainsbourg and Lou Doillon.
Jane Birkin cause of death
Jane Birkin’s cause of death has not yet been officially confirmed, but she had been in poor health in recent years. She suffered a mild stroke in 2021, and had recently called off concerts due to health issues.
Some reports have suggested that she may have died of natural causes, while others have said that she may have died of cancer. However, no official cause of death has been released yet.
Birkin’s death is a great loss to the world of entertainment. She was a talented actress, singer, and fashion icon, and her legacy will live on for many years to come.
Jane Birkin Biography
Jane Birkin was a British-French actress, singer, and model. She was born in London on December 14, 1946. She began her career as an actress, appearing in minor roles in Michelangelo Antonioni’s Blowup (1966) and Kaleidoscope (1966). In 1968, she met Serge Gainsbourg while co-starring with him in Slogan, which marked the beginning of a years-long working and personal relationship.
Birkin and Gainsbourg’s musical collaboration produced some of the most iconic songs of the 1960s and 1970s, including “Je t’aime… moi non plus” (1969), “Bonnie and Clyde” (1968), and “L’amour est un oiseau rebelle” (1970). The couple had a daughter, Charlotte Gainsbourg, in 1971.
Birkin also had a successful solo career as a singer. Her albums include Diable et ses anges (1974), Lolita Go Home (1975), and Baby Alone in Babylone (1983). She also starred in a number of films, including Blowup (1966), The Knack…and How to Get It (1965), and Death on the Nile (1978).
In 1984, the Hermès fashion house created the Birkin bag, which was named after her. The bag is one of the most iconic and sought-after luxury handbags in the world.
Birkin was a vocal supporter of animal rights and environmental causes. She asked Hermès to stop using crocodile skin in the Birkin bag in 2015.
Birkin died on July 16, 2023, at the age of 76. She is survived by her daughters, Charlotte Gainsbourg and Lou Doillon.
Birkin was a talented and versatile artist who made significant contributions to the world of music, cinema, and fashion. She will be remembered as a cultural icon and a role model for women everywhere.
Jane Birkin Net worth
Jane Birkin’s net worth was estimated to be around $20 million at the time of her death. Her wealth came from her successful career as an actress, singer, and model. She was also the namesake of the iconic Hermès Birkin bag, which is one of the most expensive handbags in the world.
Birkin’s career began in the 1960s, when she appeared in films such as Blowup (1966) and Kaleidoscope (1966). She also had a successful musical career, releasing albums such as Diable et ses anges (1974) and Lolita Go Home (1975). In 1984, the Hermès fashion house created the Birkin bag, which was named after her.
Birkin was a vocal supporter of animal rights and environmental causes. She asked Hermès to stop using crocodile skin in the Birkin bag in 2015.
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