Françoise Hardy, one of France’s most beloved singer-songwriters, has died at the age of 80, per bbc.co.uk. Her son, Thomas Dutronc, also a musician, confirmed her passing on social media with a simple message: “Mum is gone.”
Hardy first emerged onto the music scene in 1962, quickly becoming a cultural icon who inspired artistes like Mick Jagger and Bob Dylan. Known for her melancholic ballads, Hardy epitomised the Yé-yé pop movement, which blended French and English musical influences.
Her most iconic songs included “Tous les garçons et les filles” (All the Boys and Girls), “Comment te dire adieu” (It Hurts to Say Goodbye), and “Mon amie la rose” (My Friend the Rose). Hardy’s English-language hit, “All Over The World,” peaked at number 16 on the UK charts in June 1965.
Born in Nazi-occupied Paris in 1944 and raised by her mother, Hardy grew up listening to Elvis Presley and other Western stars. She signed her first record deal at 17, and her breakthrough came with “Tous les garçons et les filles,” a song of youthful longing that resonated widely.
Hardy’s influence extended beyond music; she was a fashion muse for designers like Yves Saint Laurent and Paco Rabanne, who created a memorable gold plate minidress for her in 1968. Mick Jagger once described her as the “ideal woman,” and Bob Dylan famously wrote love letters and poems to her.
Her acting career included roles in films by Jean-Luc Godard and Roger Vadim. As a writer, Hardy explored various subjects, including astrology, a passion she developed in the 1970s.
Hardy was married to singer Jacques Dutronc, with whom she had her son, Thomas. Though separated in the late 1980s, she often referred to Dutronc as the love of her life.
In recent years, Hardy battled health issues, including lymphoma and ear cancer. Despite these challenges, her career spanned over five decades and nearly 30 albums, with her final release, “Personne D’Autre” (Nobody Else), in 2018.
Tributes have poured in, with France’s Culture Minister Rachida Dati honouring her as an “eternal legend of French song” whose melodies captured the nation’s heart.
•Featured image: Francoise Hardy/Getty Images
