Singer and actress Jane Birkin has died at the age of 76, French media have reported.
The English-French star, who inspired the Hermès Birkin designer handbag, was found at her home by her caregiver, BFMTV reported.
The singer had been forced to postpone several concerts in Paris scheduled for May after breaking her shoulder in March 2022, BFMTV reported.
“I’ve always been a big optimist, and I realise that it still takes me a little while to be able to be on stage again and with you. I love being with you so much,” she said in a statement at the time.
Birkin performing in 2018. Pic:AP
It followed another string of cancelled shows after the star suffered from a stroke in September 2021.
Born in London, Birkin began her career as an actress, Birkin gained international fame for her on and off-screen relationship with Serge Gainsbourg.
Gainsbourg and Birkin in 1974. Pic: AP
The pair met while co-starring in 1969 French satirical romantic comedy, Slogan, and went on to release a debut album in the same year.
Pic: AP
The album featured the sexually explicit song “Je t’aime… moi non plus” which reached number one in the UK Singles Char, despite being banned from a number of radio stations.
After their split in 1980 Birkin continued to work, appearing in multiple films and recording numerous solo albums.
Hermès Birkin handbag. Pic: AP
In 1981, the actress was next to Hermès chief executive Jean-Louis Dumas on a flight from Paris to London, according to L’Officiel magazine.
Following a conversation between the two about how difficult it was to find a bag that could fulfil Birkin’s needs as a mother-of-two, the Birkin bag was born.
Dumas designed the bag on the spot and named it after Birkin when it came into production in 1984, according to reports.
The handbag has gone on to become a status symbol, with some fetching well over $10,000 (£7,638).
