Jane Birkin, actor and singer, dies aged 76

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.

British-French actress, singer-songwriter and fashion model Jane Birkin, UK, 25th October 1968. (Photo by Daily Express/Getty Images)

Above Jane Birkin, 1968. (Photo by Daily Express/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 31: Jane Birkin performs at Decimo's New Years Eve celebration at The Standard on December 31, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images for The Standard, London)

Above Jane Birkin performs at Decimo's New Years Eve celebration at The Standard on December 31, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images for The Standard, London)

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.

Parce qu’elle incarnait la liberté, qu’elle chantait les plus beaux mots de notre langue, Jane Birkin était une icône française.

Artiste complète, sa voix était aussi douce que ses engagements étaient ardents.

Elle nous lègue des airs et des images qui ne nous quitteront pas. pic.twitter.com/Ad27ngF54R
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) July 16, 2023

Birkin's acting career included minor roles in the 1966 crime rom-com Kaleidoscope and the 1978 adaptation of Agatha Christie's Death on the Nile.

Although her relationship with Gainsbourg made her a household name, Birkin quickly established herself as an individual star and fashion icon in France, despite being British.

TOKYO, JAPAN - MARCH 26: Singer Jane Birkin attends the 'Jane Birkin sings Serge Gainsbourg "VIA JAPAN"' press conference at L'Institut Franco-Japonais de Tokyo on March 26, 2013 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Jun Sato/WireImage)

Above Jane Birkin attends the 'Jane Birkin sings Serge Gainsbourg "VIA JAPAN"' press conference at L'Institut Franco-Japonais de Tokyo on March 26, 2013 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Jun Sato/WireImage)

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 08: Jane Birkin's 'Birkin' bag by Hermes goes on view during the "Bags: Inside Out" press view at Victoria and Albert Museum on December 08, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Tristan Fewings/Getty Images)

Above Jane Birkin's 'Birkin' bag by Hermes goes on view during the "Bags: Inside Out" press view at Victoria and Albert Museum on December 08, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Tristan Fewings/Getty Images)

She served as the muse for the renowned Birkin bag, created by the French luxury house Hermès. The story goes that while seated next to Hermès CEO Jean-Louis Dumas on a flight to London, Birkin mentioned her struggle to find the perfect-sized weekend bag—one larger than the Hermès Kelly handbag but smaller than a suitcase.

This conversation led to the introduction of the Birkin bag in 1984, which remains one of the world's most recognisable and sought-after bags to this day. Rare variations of the bag fetch hundreds of thousands of dollars at auctions, and even after nearly four decades since its launch, demand continues to surpass the supply at boutiques.

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Jane Birkin & Serge Gainsbourg at Heathrow airport, January 1971. (Photo by Victor Crawshaw/Mirrorpix via Getty Images)

Above Jane Birkin at Heathrow airport, January 1971. (Photo by Victor Crawshaw/Mirrorpix via Getty Images)

In addition to her artistic contributions, Birkin was known for her activism. In 2015, she requested the removal of her name from association with the popular crocodile-skin version of the Birkin bag due to concerns about animal cruelty. Throughout the years, she auctioned off her bags for various charitable causes, including earthquake relief efforts.

Birkin passed away at her home in Paris, according to French media reports. In 2021, she had suffered a mild stroke and recently cancelled concerts due to health issues.

She is survived by two daughters: Charlotte Gainsbourg, from her relationship with Serge Gainsbourg, and Lou Doillon, from her relationship with French film director Jacques Doillon. Both daughters have made their mark as singer-actresses, continuing their mother's artistic legacy.

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Jane Birkin, actor and singer, dies aged 76