Jane Birkin, Singer And Muse Behind Hermes Birkin Bag, Dies At 76

Jane Birkin, the singer known for the provocative song "Je T'Aime... Moi No-Plus," passed away at 76. Her cause of death remains undisclosed, but she battled health issues like a stroke and a broken shoulder blade.

During her life, Birkin became a fashion icon in France and inspired the iconic Birkin bag by Hermès. Beyond her music, she excelled as an actress and director. 

Keep on reading to learn more.

On Sunday, the French Ministry of Culture confirmed the passing of Jane Birkin at the age of 76, with the tweet referring to her as a "timeless French-speaking icon."

At the time, her cause of death remains undisclosed, but according to ABC News, the British-born French icon known for the song "Je T'Aime... Moi Non Plus" has been battling health problems such as a stroke in 2021 and a broken shoulder blade earlier this year, which hindered her performances and public appearances.

Born in London in December 1946 to Judy Campbell and David Birkin, Birkin gained fame and made France her lifelong home when she moved to Paris at the age of 20 to work on the film "Slogan."

Despite being of British origin, Birkin became a fashion icon in France during the 1960s and '70s, notably inspiring the creation of the famous Birkin bag by luxury design house Hermès.

During an Air France flight, Birkin had a fortunate encounter with Jean-Louis Dumas, then-CEO of Hermès, when she accidentally spilled her bag's contents while complaining about the lack of spacious bags for mothers.

It was a light bulb moment for Dumas, who, according to the Hermès website, immediately "sketched a design for a supple, rectangular holdall with a burnished flap and saddle stitching," giving birth to the iconic Birkin bag.

This coveted accessory can cost tens of thousands of dollars and has long waiting lists. Despite its fashion success, Birkin revealed to Guardian in 2006 that she loves the bag but believes it contributed to her "tendonitis" due to the heavy load she carries in it.

In the 2006 interview, the actress also reflected on her fashion icon status in the country that "adopted" her and, ever-so-humbly, essentially pinned it to luck. "They like my accent [and] when I came here the skirts were shorter than anyone else's. Everyone at home was wearing just the same as me. I was the lucky one because I got here first so they thought it was my fashion," she shared.

During the production of the movie "Slogan" in 1968, she met and started a relationship with French actor and singer-songwriter Serge Gainsbourg, who became a national sensation in France. That same year, Birkin and Gainsbourg collaborated on their most famous song, the provocative duet "Je T'Aime... Moi Non Plus," which translates to "I Love You... Me Neither."

Originally written for Gainsbourg's ex-girlfriend Brigitte Bardot, "Je T'Aime… Moi Non Plus" was banned on the radio in various countries and was condemned by the Vatican due to its explicit sexual lyrics. However, despite the controversy, it also brought the duo international fame and introduced them to a broader audience.

According to People magazine, during a 2006 CNN interview, Birkin reflected on her relationship with Gainsbourg, which propelled her into the French limelight. She fondly recalled their connection, which made them one of the most renowned couples due to the success of their song and 13-year-long companionship.

French President Emmanuel Macron paid tribute to the actress on Twitter, praising her as a symbol of freedom and for singing the most beautiful words of the French language. He wrote, "Because she embodied freedom because she sang the most beautiful words of our language, Jane Birkin was a French icon."

He added, "A complete artist, her voice was as sweet as her engagements were fiery. She bequeaths us tunes and images that will never leave us."

According to ABC News, Birkin is survived by her daughters, Doillon, 40, from her relationship with French director Jacques Doillon, and Charlotte Gainsbourg, 51, from her partnership with Serge Gainsbourg.