British-born actress and singer Jane Birkin

 British-born actress and singer Jane Birkin, who found fame in France, dies age 76

British-born actress and singer Jane Birkin, renowned for her accomplishments in France, passes away at the age of 76. The demise of Birkin, celebrated as a cherished figure in France.

Having relocated to her adopted home at the tender age of 20, Birkin spent nearly six decades in the spotlight, despite not knowing the French language when she arrived. She became affectionately known as France's beloved "anglaise."

Birkin's journey to stardom commenced shortly after her arrival in Paris, where she fell in love with French actor and singer Serge Gainsbourg. Their relationship captivated the public's attention, despite Gainsbourg being almost two decades her senior. The couple frequently collaborated professionally, notably delivering a captivating performance of the sultry duet "Je t'aime... moi non plus." The explicit lyrics of the song caused it to be banned in numerous countries.

"Jane Birkin was a French icon because she symbolized freedom and sang the most exquisite words in our language," President Emmanuel Macron tweeted, paying tribute to the late star.

While Birkin's relationship with Gainsbourg propelled her to stardom, she soon established herself as an independent force and a fashion icon in France, despite her British origins. Her influence even inspired the creation of the renowned Birkin bag by the esteemed French luxury brand Hermes.

"My mom represents a distinct Parisian style, which is amusing because she's not Parisian," shared her daughter Lou Doillon in a 2017 interview.

The exact cause of Birkin's death remains unknown, although she had been in frail health in recent years and had suffered a stroke in 2021. Her last public appearance prior to her passing was at the premiere of the documentary "Jane by Charlotte," which delved into her relationship with her daughter Charlotte.

Birkin is survived by her daughters Lou Doillon and actress Charlotte Gainsbourg, whom she had with Serge Gainsbourg. Unfortunately, her daughter Kate Barry passed away at the age of 46 in 2013.

A darling of French cinema, Jane Birkin was born in London in 1946. Her marriage to the legendary British composer John Barry in 1965 was short-lived, characterized as a "miserable marriage," leading to their separation shortly after. In 1968, Birkin left for Paris to work on the film "Slogan," where she crossed paths with Gainsbourg. That same year, Gainsbourg penned "Je t'aime... moi non plus" for Birkin, which became an international hit.

Birkin then blossomed into a beloved figure in French cinema, starring in over 70 films and collaborating with esteemed directors such as Jean-Luc Godard, Agnes Varda, and Bertrand Tavernier. Her notable works include "Blow Up" (1966), "La Piscine" (The Swimming Pool) in 1969, and "Death on the Nile" (1978).

Although Gainsbourg and Birkin's tumultuous relationship came to an end in 1981, the two maintained a cordial rapport and continued to collaborate on artistic endeavors. In 1985, Birkin received her first Cesar nomination for her remarkable performance in the film "La Pirate," directed by French filmmaker Jacques Doillon, with whom she later had a daughter.

In addition to her successful career in acting, Birkin pursued a prolific musical journey, releasing several records in the French language. Her most recent album, "Oh! Pardon tu dormais," released in 2020, explored one of the greatest tragedies of her life—the loss of her first daughter, Kate.

While Birkin continued to shine as a singer, achieve success as an actress, and thrive as a highly sought-after model, her association with the creation of the Birkin bag—an enduring and iconic fashion accessory—catapulted her to widespread recognition. International Anchor Christiane Amanpour in February 2020, Birkin recounted how a serendipitous encounter on an Air France flight to London, sitting next to Jean-Louis Dumas, then chairman of Hermes, sparked the inception of the highly coveted bag that bears her name.