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Death of Françoise Hardy: 5 Things to Know About the French Music Icon

undefined undefined 12 juin 2024 undefined 09h59

The Editor

© Wikimedia Commons

French singer Françoise Hardy passed away at the age of 80 on Tuesday, June 11 in the evening. She had been battling cancer since 2004 and had recently reignited the debate on end-of-life care.

Nicknamed "the discreet" by Jean Gabin, "the endive of the twist" because of her slim figure, or even "the woman of the year 2000", Françoise Hardy, icon of French music, passed away this Tuesday, June 11, 2024 at the age of 80. "Mom has left," her son, singer Thomas Dutronc, simply stated in a message posted in the evening on his Facebook and Instagram accounts. Author, singer and composer, she leaves behind a considerable musical and literary legacy to French music: 28 albums, 2 Victoires de la Musique, nearly 60 years of career and hits that have rocked the childhood of a whole generation... Françoise Hardy had been battling cancer since 2004 and had recently spoken out on the end-of-life debate. To pay tribute to this essential artist, here are five things to know about Françoise Hardy.


1. A Difficult Childhood

Born in 1944, in the 9th arrondissement, at the heart of a city still under occupation, Françoise Hardy grew up in challenging conditions. The daughter of a single mother and an absent father - a resistance fighter during the war and deported to Dachau - she was also raised by a strict maternal grandmother. These early years marked by absence and severity shaped a complex and sensitive personality, a trademark of her songs filled with melancholy.

At 16, Françoise Hardy discovered rock 'n' roll and started learning how to play the guitar. She took part in the show "Le Petit Conservatoire de la chanson" hosted by Mireille, where she stayed for two years. This experience led her to sign a contract in 1961 with the Vogue label, known for producing artists like Johnny Hallyday. This opportunity marked the beginning of a phenomenal career, propelling Hardy into the spotlight of the music scene.


2. A Star of the Ye-Ye Scene

Discover Françoise Hardy

Françoise Hardy became known to the general public in 1962 with her song "Tous les garçons et les filles". This title became an anthem of the yéyé genre, capturing the essence of the era with its catchy tunes and poetic lyrics.

Françoise Hardy's music is known for its melancholic and innocent portrayal of first loves. With her soft voice and magnetic presence, she quickly rose to international stardom alongside Sylvie Vartan, Johnny Hallyday, and Eddy Mitchell. She became an iconic figure of that era, influencing both fashion and music. Throughout her career, Françoise Hardy has explored various musical genres, from folk to rock to traditional French chanson. Her 1971 album, "La Question", which she collaborated on with Brazilian musician Tuca, is considered one of her greatest masterpieces. Known for its sophisticated sounds and introspective themes, this album showcases Hardy's versatility and talent. Constantly reinventing herself, Françoise Hardy remains an idol for young audiences of all ages.
See this post on Instagram A post shared by Françoise Hardy Collection 📀 (@francoise_hardy__collection) 3. Her iconic duo with Jacques Dutronc Françoise Hardy meets Jacques Dutronc in the mid-60s, and their relationship becomes one of the most famous in the French music scene. The two singers have a son in 1973, Thomas Dutronc, who follows in their musical footsteps and they marry in 1981. Despite everything, Françoise Hardy admits.Having lived a complicated relationship with Jacques Dutronc, mainly due to the singer's absence and infidelities. In 1988, the couple separated but never officially divorced, maintaining a close relationship both artistically and personally. An Intimate Pen In 2008, Hardy published her autobiography "Le Désespoir des singes... et autres bagatelles." This book offers an introspective look into her personal and professional life. She shares her thoughts on fame, her love relationships, and her relationship with music with great honesty. This literary work reveals a sensitive and thoughtful Françoise Hardy, adding a new dimension to her public personality. Her Fight Against Illness Diagnosed with lymphoma in 2004, Françoise Hardy fought a long battle against cancer, eventually defeating it thanks to chemotherapy. Despite the illness, she continued her musical career, releasing albums.In 2006, Françoise Hardy released "Douze Belles dans la peau", followed by "La Pluie sans parapluie" in 2010 and "L'Amour fou" in 2012. In 2015, a relapse of the illness almost took her. Françoise Hardy was then diagnosed with a tumor in her larynx. Despite a very heavy treatment, she released one last album, "Personne d'autre", in 2018. In June 2019, she announced the end of her music career. In 2023, the singer told Paris Match that she was living a « nightmare » and wanted to « leave soon and quickly ». She has also expressed support for euthanasia on multiple occasions. Her involvement in the end-of-life debate in France demonstrates her courage and resilience, making Françoise Hardy a source of inspiration for many fans.
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