Jane Birkin, the singer and muse behind the Hermes Birkin Bag, has died at the age of 76

Jane Birkinthe singer known for his provocative song “Je T’Aime… Moi No-Plus” has died at the age of 76. The cause of his death has not been released, but he suffered from health problems such as a stroke and a broken shoulder blade.

During her lifetime, Birkin became a fashion icon in France and inspired Hermès’ iconic Birkin bag. In addition to his music, he also excelled as an actress and director.

Read on to learn more.

Jane Birkin died at the age of 76

On Sunday, France’s culture ministry confirmed that Jane Birkin had died at the age of 76, calling her a “timeless French-language icon” in a tweet.

The cause of his death has not yet been released, but according to this ABC News, The British-born French icon, known for the song ‘Je T’Aime… Moi Non Plus’, has struggled with health issues including a stroke in 2021 and a broken shoulder blade earlier this year, which hampered his performances and public appearances.

Birkin was born in December 1946 in London to Judy Campbell and David Birkin. Birkin rose to fame and made France her home when she moved to Paris at the age of 20 to work on the film Slogan.

Jane Birkin was the muse behind the Hermès Birkin bag

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

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

It was a lightbulb moment for Dumas, who, according to the Hermès website, immediately “sketched a flexible, rectangular holder with polished lugs and saddle stitching,” giving birth to the iconic Birkin bag.

This coveted accessory can cost tens of thousands of dollars and the waiting lists are long. Despite the fashion success, Birkin revealed Guardian in 2006 that he loves the bag, but believes it contributed to his “tendonitis” due to the heavy load it carries.

In the 2006 interview, the actress also reflected on her status as a fashion icon in the country that “adopted” her, and – always so humbly – she essentially linked it to luck. “They like my accent (and) when I came here, the skirts were shorter than anyone else’s. Everyone at home wore the same clothes as me. I was the lucky one, because I got here first, so they thought it was my fashion,” he said.

Je T’Aime… Moi Non Plus song

She met and became involved with French actor and singer-songwriter Serge Gainsbourg, who became a national sensation in France, during the 1968 production of the film Slogan. 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 from radio in various countries and condemned by the Vatican for its sexually explicit lyrics. Despite the controversy, however, it also brought the duo international fame and exposed them to a wider audience.

Based on People magazineduring a 2006 CNN In an interview, Birkin reflected on her relationship with Gainsbourg, which catapulted her into the French limelight. He fondly recalled their relationship, which made them one of the best-known couples thanks to the success of their song and their 13-year partnership.

President Emmanuel Macron pays tribute to Jane Birkin

French President Emmanuel Macron paid tribute to the actress Twitter, praised as a symbol of freedom and for singing the most beautiful words in 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 consummate artist, his voice was as sweet as his engagements were fiery. He leaves us with melodies and images that will never leave us.”

Based on ABC NewsBirkin’s daughters Doillon, 40, are from his partnership with French director Jacques Doillon, and Charlotte Gainsbourg, 51, is from her partnership with Serge Gainsbourg.