French singer and sixties icon Françoise Hardy has died aged 80.
Hardy’s son, musician Thomas Dutronc, announced her death on Instagram on Tuesday by writing, “Maman est partie,” which translates to “mum is gone”, alongside a throwback photo.
Hardy was diagnosed with lymphatic cancer in 2004 and underwent treatment, which was initially successful. After her condition worsened in 2015, she was placed in an induced coma in hospital before undergoing further cancer treatments. In 2021, after she deteriorated again, she became a vocal supporter of the legalisation of euthanasia in France.
The star launched her singing career by signing with record label Disques Vogue in 1961. She had her first breakthrough the following year with Tous les garçons et les filles and went on to release hits such as Je Suis D’Accord, Le Temps de L’Amour, All Over the World, her only U.K. Top 20 hit, and Comment te Dire Adieu, which was co-written by Serge Gainsbourg.
She released more than 30 albums during her career, concluding with 2018’s Personne d’autre.
Hardy, who came fifth in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1963 as the performer for Monaco, was adored by ’60s idols such as Mick Jagger, who called her the “ideal woman”, and Bob Dylan, who wrote her several love letters.
Outside of music, Hardy was also a fashion muse for the likes of Yves Saint Laurent and Paco Rabanne and an actress in films such as Grand Prix, Château en Suède and Jean-Luc Godard’s Masculin féminin.
The late star got married to French singer-songwriter Jacques Dutronc in 1981 and they separated in 1988.
She is survived by him and their son Thomas.
