Jane Birkin, the well-known French-British model, singer, and actress from the 1960s, passed away. The “Je t’aime… moi non plus” singer was 76 years old and spent her final days in France. Known for her controversial relationship with French singer Serge Gainsbourg, her passing marks the end of an era synonymous with fashion, music, celebrity culture, and elegance.
Also, Birkin is most famous for the famous Hermes bag, “The Birkin Bag,” which was named after her and that women covet in Hermes stores worldwide. Today, we will honor her trajectory and share details with you about her life full of ups, downs, and between.
Who Was Jane Birkin?
Jane Birkin was born in 1946 and became one of the most iconic models, actresses, and singers of her time. She was known for her free-spirited attitude, which often caused controversy. She was a muse to many designers like Paco Rabanne and Jean Paul Gaultier, but it was with Hermes that she created the famous Birkin Bag. Overall, Jane Birkin was an inspiring figure who left behind a powerful legacy in the fashion industry.
Jane Birkin had an interesting career. She started out as a model in the 1960s and quickly became popular in the fashion world with the effortlessly chic style of “Swinging London.” She then moved on to become a successful actress and singer, appearing in films such as Blow-Up and Slogan. In 1971, she released her first album, “For You,” which was followed by more albums throughout her career.
Aside from her work in fashion and entertainment, Jane Birkin was also a philanthropist. She raised awareness for several causes, such as animal welfare and prison reform. In addition, she worked with the United Nations to help refugees around the world.
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Her Relationship With Serge Gainsbourg
In 1969 Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin recorded a hit song called “Je time… moi non plus”, a duet song that’s iconic because of the overtly sexual content of the song in which Gainsbourg says a few nasty things while Birkin moans and murmurs in what seems to be a very sexual note. Furthermore, the song was even banned from the radio in several countries—including the BBC—but that didn’t stop it from becoming a hit.
Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg had a daughter named Charlotte; the couple split things up in the early 1980s because of Serge Gainsbourg’s drinking problems but kept close and worked together in diverse art, fashion, and musical projects until Gainsbourg’s death in 1991.
Jane Birkin is the mother of two other daughters. One is the talented musician Lou Doillon, born from her relationship with French director Jacques Doillon. The other is the late photographer Kate Barry, whom she had with her first husband, the renowned James Bond composer John Barry.
Kate Barry, her daughter, struggled with depression and died in what seemed to be a suicide. Her death had a big effect on Birkin, and she went through a time when she felt sad and lost her confidence. Jane Birkin had a stroke in 2021, and she recently broke her shoulder blade, which forced her to cancel a number of tour dates in March of this year. After having to cancel more shows because of health problems, she went back to her home in Paris to heal.
What Happened To Jane Birkin?
Jane Birkin was found dead in her Paris home on July 16, 2023. No one knows what caused her death —by the time of print, that C.O.D. isn’t public. The last time she was seen in public was at a showing of the documentary “Jane by Charlotte,” which was about her relationship with her daughter Charlotte.
On July 24, 2023, the world said its last goodbye to Jane Birkin at the Church of Saint-Roch, located in the 1st Arrondissement of Paris. After her funeral, her casket was taken to the Montparnasse Cemetery, where her daughter, Kate Barry, and Serge Gainsbourg are also buried. We’ll miss her, and her influence on fashion will last forever. Our deepest condolences go out to her friends and family, and may she rest in peace.
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