Iconic Actor and Singer Jane Birkin, Known for Inspiring Birkin Bag, Passes Away at 76

Renowned British-born actor and singer Jane Birkin, known for her iconic relationship with the late French singer and songwriter Serge Gainsbourg and her influence on the creation of the Birkin bag, has passed away at the age of 76 in Paris.

Jane Birkin gained international recognition for her 1969 hit song with Gainsbourg, "Je t'aime... moi non plus," which featured explicit lyrics and garnered controversy at the time. The French Culture Ministry described her as a timeless Francophone icon, and her loss is deeply felt by the country.

Local media reports indicate that she was found deceased at her residence. Birkin had experienced health issues in recent years, including a mild stroke in 2021 and previous heart problems.

Birkin made France her home in the late 1960s, where she became a beloved figure not only for her singing and acting career but also for her warm personality and unwavering advocacy for women's and LGBTQ rights. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo referred to her as the "most Parisian of the English," highlighting her unforgettable songs, infectious laughter, and unique accent that charmed her audience.

Born Jane Mallory Birkin in London in December 1946, she was the daughter of British actor Judy Campbell and Royal Navy commander David Birkin. At the age of 17, she stepped onto the stage and later appeared in the 1965 musical "Passion Flower Hotel," composed by John Barry, whom she married briefly. However, her breakthrough came in France with the controversial 1966 Michelangelo Antonioni film "Blow-Up," where she gained notoriety for her appearance in a threesome sex scene.

It was her relationship with Serge Gainsbourg that propelled Birkin to stardom in France. Their love affair captivated the nation after they met on the set of the film "Slogan" in 1969. That same year, they released the provocative song "Je t'aime... moi non plus," initially written for Brigitte Bardot. The explicit lyrics by Gainsbourg, coupled with Birkin's breathy moans and cries, led to the song's ban by the BBC and condemnation by the Vatican.

Despite their eventual breakup in 1981, Birkin continued her successful career as a singer and actor, releasing albums such as "Baby Alone in Babylone" in 1983 and "Amour des Feintes" in 1990, both featuring words and music by Gainsbourg. She also ventured into songwriting, penning her album "Arabesque" in 2002 and sharing a collection of live recordings titled "Jane at the Palace" in 2009.

French singer Etienne Daho, who produced and composed Birkin's last album in 2020, expressed his grief at the loss, describing it as unimaginable to live in a world without her.

In addition to her artistic achievements, Birkin inspired the creation of the renowned Birkin bag by French luxury house Hermès. The bag's design was born when Hermès' chief executive, Jean-Louis Dumas, witnessed Birkin struggling with her straw bag on a flight to London, causing its contents to spill onto the floor.

Jane Birkin is survived by her two daughters, Charlotte Gainsbourg, a singer and actor born in 1971, and Lou Doillon, also an actor, born in 1982. She also had a daughter, Kate, who was born in 1967 and passed away in 2013. Her legacy as an influential figure in music, film, and fashion will forever be remembered.