Iconic French singer Françoise Hardy has passed away.
The renowned French singer Françoise Hardy has passed away at the age of 80. As per her son Thomas Dutronc, she breathed her last breath after battling a prolonged illness. Expressing his grief, Dutronc shared a nostalgic picture of himself as a young child with his mother on Instagram, making no mention of her demise's specifics.
Born in Paris in 1944, Françoise Hardy rose to fame in 1962 with her smash hit "Tous les garçons et les filles," a song she had written herself. Hardy received her first guitar at the tender age of 16 years. Later, she collaborated with icons like Mick Jagger and the Beatles.
In 2023, her name appeared on the list of the 200 greatest singers and songwriters in the prestigious American magazine "Rolling Stone" - the sole French nominee. During a 2018 interview, she revealed, "My whole life I've been in search of beautiful melodies. Hearing them carries me to the seventh heaven."
France's Culture Minister Rachida Dati lauded her as a "legend of French chanson" via social media. French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal labelled her a "French icon," saying, "Immense sadness. She has been a significant source of inspiration for me...," while renowned chansonnier Michel Polnareff expressed, "Immense sadness. She has greatly influenced me..."
From the onset of her career, Hardy was embraced as a style icon. Her romantic connection with Jacques Dutronc, a singer from the 60s popular for hits like "Et moi, et moi, et moi" (1966), bore a son, Thomas. He too, followed in his parents' footsteps and became a singer. Unfortunately, their relationship was marred by numerous disappointments, a theme echoed in her songs.
Hardy had been diagnosed with cancer since 2004. In 2021, she openly supported euthanasia, stating, "Letting somebody who is terminally ill suffer until death is inhumane." As reported by Paris Match in 2022, she shared her desire to "leave suddenly and quietly, without having to endure giant medical tests," citing not being able to breathe.
Read also:
Despite the unfortunate news of Françoise Hardy's passing, her impact on French music and entertainment will continue to resonate. Her influence can still be felt in the modern music scene, serving as an inspiration for many upcoming artists.
In the aftermath of her demise, it's heartening to see the tributes pouring in from France's entertainment and political figures, acknowledging her significant contributions to French chanson and music at large.
