Singer and actress Jane Birkin died on her first night alone for almost two years as she tried to regain her independence while fighting cancer, it emerged today.

The London-born 76-year-old was involved in ‘a fierce battle’ against the disease in her adopted France but wanted to get back to a normal life rather than being surrounded by caregivers all day.

Her dead body was found by one of them at Ms Birkin’s Paris home on Sunday, after she had expressed her wish to spend Saturday night by herself.

Ms Birkin had also said she wanted to start performing again, and had been looking forward to her next appearance at the Olympia concert hall in the French capital.

It came as burglars tried to break into the home of the deceased star in the early hours of Wednesday morning, a Parisian police source told BFMTV. A childhood friend at the house report voices behind the door as police dispatched to the scene noted damage to the entrance to the home.

Jane Birkin's (pictured in December last year) dead body was found by one of her carers at her Paris home on Sunday, after she had expressed her wish to spend Saturday night by herself

Jane Birkin's (pictured in December last year) dead body was found by one of her carers at her Paris home on Sunday, after she had expressed her wish to spend Saturday night by herself

Jane Birkin’s (pictured in December last year) dead body was found by one of her carers at her Paris home on Sunday, after she had expressed her wish to spend Saturday night by herself

Jane Birkin (pictured in 1960) was involved in 'a fierce battle' against cancer but wanted to get back to a normal life rather than being surrounded by caregivers all day

Jane Birkin (pictured in 1960) was involved in 'a fierce battle' against cancer but wanted to get back to a normal life rather than being surrounded by caregivers all day

Jane Birkin (pictured in 1960) was involved in ‘a fierce battle’ against cancer but wanted to get back to a normal life rather than being surrounded by caregivers all day

A statement released by her family on Wednesday reads: ‘Jane Birkin passed away after 16 years of a fierce battle with illness.

‘Since her stroke in September 2021, her family and wonderful caregivers had been by her side day and night.

‘For a few days, she had been walking again, and was motivated by rescheduling her Olympia performance.

‘The first evening alone turned out to be her last. She had decided it.’

The statement, which confirmed death by ‘natural causes’, was released by Ms Birkin’s manager, Olivier Gluzman, on behalf of her daughters, Charlotte Gainsbourg, 51, and Lou Doillon, 40.

Ms Birkin had described her leukaemia – which she was diagnosed with in 1998 – as a ‘not very painful cancer,’ but in May she cancelled a serious of concerts when it got worse.

She said at the time: ‘I have always been a great optimist, and I realise that I still need a little time to be able again on stage and with you’.

Ms Birkin was best known as the former lover of French singer Serge Gainsbourg, whom she first met in 1969 while co-starring in the French satirical romantic comedy Slogan.

Jane Birkin (pictured in 1968) was one of the UK's best-known Sixities sensations, known for her romantic affairs, striking looks and fashion sense

Jane Birkin (pictured in 1968) was one of the UK's best-known Sixities sensations, known for her romantic affairs, striking looks and fashion sense

Jane Birkin (pictured in 1968) was one of the UK’s best-known Sixities sensations, known for her romantic affairs, striking looks and fashion sense

Ms Birkin had described her leukaemia – which she was diagnosed with in 1998 – as a 'not very painful cancer'. She is pictured in 1969

Ms Birkin had described her leukaemia – which she was diagnosed with in 1998 – as a 'not very painful cancer'. She is pictured in 1969

Ms Birkin had described her leukaemia – which she was diagnosed with in 1998 – as a ‘not very painful cancer’. She is pictured in 1969

Morticians on Sunday took Jane Birkin's body away as the French capital mourns her death

Morticians on Sunday took Jane Birkin's body away as the French capital mourns her death

Morticians on Sunday took Jane Birkin’s body away as the French capital mourns her death

Other fans chose to leave a photo as a way to pay respect to the iconic actress

Other fans chose to leave a photo as a way to pay respect to the iconic actress

Other fans chose to leave a photo as a way to pay respect to the iconic actress

Ms Birkin was 21 at the time, and had moved to France with her toddler daughter, Kate Barry, after a brief marriage to the James Bond composer, John Barry.

Ms Birkin and Gainsbourg’s sexually explicit song, ‘Je t’aime… moi non plus’ (I love you, nor me) was a worldwide hit, reaching Number One in the UK Charts.

This was despite it being banned from a number of stations, because it was considered too risqué.

After her death was announced Sunda, fans have left floral tributes outside the home of the cult film star in the French capital, before morticians were pictured taking her body away. 

French President Emmanuel Macron led the tributes to Ms Birkin on Sunday, posting to Twitter: ‘Because she embodied freedom, because she sang the most beautiful words of our language, Jane Birkin was a French icon.

‘A complete artist, her voice was as sweet as her engagements were fiery.

‘She bequeaths us tunes and images that will never leave us.’

Jane Birkin is pictured with her daughter Charlotte Gainsbourg in February this year at the Cesar Film Awards in Paris

Jane Birkin is pictured with her daughter Charlotte Gainsbourg in February this year at the Cesar Film Awards in Paris

Jane Birkin is pictured with her daughter Charlotte Gainsbourg in February this year at the Cesar Film Awards in Paris

Jane Birkin is pictured at L'Institut Franco-Japonais de Tokyo in March 2013

Jane Birkin is pictured at L'Institut Franco-Japonais de Tokyo in March 2013

Jane Birkin is pictured at L’Institut Franco-Japonais de Tokyo in March 2013

Jane Birkin is pictured in 1996. The London-born 76-year-old was involved in 'a fierce battle' against the disease in her adopted France

Jane Birkin is pictured in 1996. The London-born 76-year-old was involved in 'a fierce battle' against the disease in her adopted France

Jane Birkin is pictured in 1996. The London-born 76-year-old was involved in ‘a fierce battle’ against the disease in her adopted France

Rima Abdul Malak, France’s Minister of Culture, also paid tribute, tweeting ‘the most French of Britons is gone’.

She continued: ‘Jane B was mischief, impertinent elegance, the never-outdated emblem of an entire era, a murmuring voice that remains our idol.

‘A woman of heart, committed, whose disappearance leaves us Alone In Babylone,’ referencing one of Birkin’s songs.

Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo and the British ambassador to France Menna Rawlings described Birkin respectively as ‘the most Parisian of the English’ and ‘the most French of British artists’.

Source

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