Jane Mallory Birkin
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Jane Birkin 1946-2023 sang the 1969 duet ‘Je T’aime…Moi Non Plus’ with Serge Gainsbourg, which radio stations banned for explicit content. She appeared in films including Blow-Up 1966 and Death on the Nile 1978. In 1984, Hermès named the Birkin bag after her, turning it into a luxury accessory. She also directed and wrote, and received an OBE in 2001.
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Jane Birkin — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.
Jane Mallory Birkin was born on 14 December 1946 in London, England, to actress Judy Campbell and Lieutenant-Commander David Birkin. She attended École Jeannine Manuel and Miss Ironside’s School. Her mother was a second half-cousin of philosopher Bertrand Russell, and she is a descendant of King Charles II of England.
Birkin made her film debut in Michelangelo Antonioni’s Blow-Up 1966. In 1969, she recorded ‘Je T’aime…Moi Non Plus’ with Serge Gainsbourg, a song that reached number one in the UK despite being banned for simulated sexual sounds. She appeared in Agatha Christie adaptations such as Death on the Nile 1978 and Evil Under the Sun 1982. In 2004, Morrissey invited her to perform at the Meltdown Festival.
She married composer John Barry in 1965; they divorced in 1968. With Barry, she had her first daughter, photographer Kate Barry born 1967. She then had a long relationship with singer Serge Gainsbourg, and they had a daughter, actress Charlotte Gainsbourg born 1971. Later, she lived with film director Jacques Doillon, and they had a daughter, actress Lou Doillon born 1982. Her brother is director Andrew Birkin.
In 1984, French luxury house Hermès introduced the Birkin bag, named after her, which became one of the most coveted accessories worldwide. She was awarded an OBE in 2001 for services to acting and French-British cultural relations. In 2015, she requested her name be removed from the bag after a PETA investigation into animal cruelty. She also received the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, and other honors.
Browse the complete filmography of Jane Birkin — every film, TV show, and documentary credit, ranked by popularity.
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Every award, honor, and recognition received by Jane Birkin — Grammys, hall-of-fame inductions, civic honors, lifetime achievements.
Jane Birkin's bibliography — every authored, edited, and co-written book, ranked by edition count.
A wall of memorable lines from Jane Birkin — lyrics, interviews, and off-the-cuff remarks captured over a lifetime.
David Attenborough… Has That Wonderful, Breathy Voice and He’s Always so Fascinated by What He’s Seeing. There’s Nothing About Him That I Can’t Find Attractive.
As There Is No One to Be Pleased or Unpleased with Me, I’m Actually Rather Merrier with My Cat.
Big Ben . . . Hearing the Chimes Makes Me Feel at Home.
By Meeting People in Sarajevo I Realized I Had Nothing to Complain About They’d Lost Children Crossing the Road Trying to Find Water. I Stopped Thinking About My Problems and Would Sit with Women in Underground Places, Singing Songs.
Any Film I See at Two O’clock in Afternoon with My Mother Seems to Cast a Strange Spell That Means We Both Come Out Sobbing.
At Eighteen, I Was the Oldest Virgin in Chelsea.
When I Came Over to London After Serge’s Death in 1991, One of the Journalists Said Made Any More Dirty Records, Jane? Another One Asked If I Felt Responsible for AIDS Because of Je T’Aime… on That Note I Realized That I Meant Nothing to the English.
Little-known facts about Jane Birkin — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.
The Hermès Birkin bag was designed and named for her in 1984; it is one of the most expensive handbags, starting at $6,000.
She is a descendant of King Charles II Stuart of England and Scotland.
The 1969 album Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg included the controversial track Je T’Aime…Moi Non Plus, which was banned by several radio stations due to simulated sexual sounds but topped charts across Europe.
In 2015, after a PETA film demonstrated animal mistreatment at a Texan leather-farm allegedly used by Hermès, she asked for her name to be removed from the Birkin bag.
She was the mother of photographer Kate Barry born 1967 with John Barry, actress Charlotte Gainsbourg born 1971 with Serge Gainsbourg, and actress Lou Doillon born 1982 with Jacques Doillon.
She was invited by Morrissey to perform at the Meltdown Festival in June 2004.
She and the 6th Baronet Birkin, TV director John Birkin, both come from the lineage of the 1st Baronet Birkin; their great-grandfathers were his sons.
She was awarded an OBE Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 2001 Queen’s Birthday Honours List for services to acting and British-French cultural relations.
Her mother was actress Judy Campbell, and her father was Lieutenant-Commander David Birkin.
Her mother was a second half-cousin of philosopher Bertrand Russell.
Miller Harris’ L’Air de Rien perfume was created especially for her by perfumer Lyn Harris.
She was the grandmother of Roman de Kermadec born 1987, Ben Attal born 1997, Alice Attal born 2002, and Marlowe Jack Tiger Mitchell born 2002.
Her granddaughter was J.A. Campbell.
She lived together with film director Jacques Doillon.
Her brother is screenwriter and director Andrew Birkin.
She had a bulldog named Dora.
She was the aunt of David Birkin and Ned Birkin.
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