Actress and singer Jane Birkin was found dead in her Paris apartment.
Singer and actress Jane Birkin passed away at the age of 76, according to French media.
The caretaker of Jane Birkin, whose name served as the inspiration for the Hermés Birkin handbag, discovered her body at her house in France. Her cause of death is still a mystery.
The 76-year-old singer was diagnosed with leukemia in 2002, and she suffered a stroke in 2021. In March, she also had to postpone activities because of a damaged shoulder blade.
Jane Birkin was a singer and actress best known for her union with Serge Gainsbourg, a French musician and songwriter.
The legendary bag was named after Jane in 1981 since she was a 1960s cultural icon. But in 2015, after witnessing video allegedly depicting “cruel practices crocodiles endured during their slaughter for the production of Hermès bags,” she publicly demanded that the company stop using her name.
The actress demanded that the Birkin be renamed after her in a statement given to Agence France-Presse. “Having been made aware of the cruel practices endured by crocodiles during their slaughter for the production of Hermès bags bearing my name, I have requested that the Birkin be renamed,” she added. “Until better, standards-compliant procedures for making this bag can be implemented,” the statement reads.
The French label addressed the issue in a second statement after visiting the farm and said they might keep the Birkin name for the highly sought-after accessories.
“Following the heartfelt emotion expressed by Jane Birkin and her request for explanation, Hermès, in agreement with her, reiterates its firm commitment to the ethical treatment of crocodiles in its partner farms,” the statement read.
We are praying for Jane’s family and friends.