Jane Birkin, 1960s Wild Child and French Icon, Passes Away at 76

Actress and singer Jane Birkin, a 1960s wild child who became a beloved figure in France, has died in Paris aged 76. Birkin was best known overseas for her 1969 hit in which she and her then-lover, the late French singer and songwriter Serge Gainsbourg, sang the sexually explicit “Je t’aime…moi non plus”.

The London-born star was widely admired for her fashion style and known for her musical and romantic relationship with French singer Serge Gainsbourg. She had lived in her adopted France since the late 1960s and apart from her singing and roles in dozens of films, she was a popular figure for her warm nature, stalwart fight for women’s and LGBT rights.

The French Culture Ministry said the country had lost a “timeless Francophone icon”. Local media reported she had been found dead at her home, citing people close to her.

Birkin’s songs notably included the steamy “Je t’aime moi non plus,” with Birkin’s ethereal, British-accented singing voice interlacing with his gruff baritone. She was also known for her work in films such as “La Piscine” and “Death on the Nile”.

Birkin leaves behind her three daughters, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Lou Doillon and Kate Barry, all of whom have gone on to become successful artists in their own right. She will be remembered for her unique style, her fight for women’s and LGBT rights, and her timeless music.