French singer-songwriter, model, and actress Françoise Hardy passed away at the age of 80.
The news was announced by her son, musician Thomas Dutronc, on social media.
Hardy’s career blossomed in the 1960s. Her melancholic pop tunes propelled her to stardom, making her a leading figure in the European yé-yé movement. Her breakout hit, “Tous les Garçons et les Filles” (All the Boys and the Girls), captured the hearts of audiences, selling over 2.5 million copies and topping the French charts. Other popular songs include “Je Suis D’Accord” and “Le Temps de L’Amour.”
She sang not only in French but also in English, German, and Italian. Notably, her 1968 English-language song “It Hurts to Say Goodbye,” penned by Serge Gainsbourg, became a chart-topper in both France and the UK.
Hardy’s influence extended beyond music. Her sculpted features and bohemian style embodied a timeless French elegance.
She became a muse for fashion designers like Yves Saint Laurent and Paco Rabanne, even embracing the mini-skirt trend early on. Her career also included acting roles in films like “Grand Prix,” “A Bullet in the Heart,” and a cameo in “What’s New, Pussycat?”
Throughout her career, Hardy attracted a legion of admirers, including music icons Mick Jagger, David Bowie, and Bob Dylan.
However, her heart belonged to French musician Jacques Dutronc. They married in 1981 and had a son, Thomas, who also pursued a successful music career. Despite separating in 1987, they remained close and never divorced.
Hardy’s artistic journey spanned six decades, resulting in nearly thirty albums. Notably, she was the sole French artist included in Rolling Stone magazine’s 2023 ranking of the 200 greatest singers of all time.
Praised for her distinctive voice and captivating lyrics, she left an indelible mark on French music and culture.
Hardy battled cancer for several years, confiding her suffering publicly in 2021.
She is survived by her husband, Jacques Dutronc, and their son, Thomas.
