Born in London in 1946, Birkin's parents were both in the entertainment industry; her mother was an actress and her father a Royal Navy officer and a World War II spy. Birkin attended drama school in London before moving to France in the 1960s to pursue her career.
It was in France where Birkin found her biggest success. She starred in a number of French films, including "Blow-Up" and "La Piscine," and became a muse for influential French director Serge Gainsbourg. The two met while filming the movie "Slogan" in 1968, and began a tumultuous and highly publicized romantic relationship.
Birkin and Gainsbourg collaborated on a number of albums together, including the seminal 1971 record "Histoire de Melody Nelson," which is now considered a classic of French pop music. The album, which tells the story of a doomed romance between a middle-aged man and a teenage girl, was controversial at the time of its release but has since been hailed as a masterpiece.
Birkin's signature song, "Je t'aime... moi non plus," was also a collaboration with Gainsbourg. The song, which features Birkin and Gainsbourg moaning and groaning in simulated sexual ecstasy, caused a scandal when it was released in 1969. Despite being banned by radio stations across Europe, the song became a hit and went on to sell millions of copies.
Birkin continued to work as an actress throughout her career, appearing in films by directors such as Agnès Varda, Jacques Rivette, and Claude Chabrol. She also had a successful career as a singer, releasing a number of solo albums and collaborating with artists such as Brian Eno and Serge Gainsbourg's son, Lulu.
Birkin was known for her distinctive style, which combined elements of French chic with a bohemian sensibility. She was often photographed wearing simple, classic pieces like trench coats, Breton stripes, and jeans, and was a muse for fashion designers like Hermès and Jean Paul Gaultier.
Birkin was also a committed activist, supporting causes such as animal rights and anti-nuclear proliferation. She was a patron of the British charity Amref Health Africa, which works to improve healthcare in Africa, and was made a Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters by the French government in 2001.
The news of Birkin's passing has been met with an outpouring of grief from fans and colleagues around the world. French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted that Birkin was an "iconic figure of French culture" and praised her "talent, her elegance, and her commitment to social causes." Many of Birkin's fellow artists and collaborators have also paid tribute to her on social media.
Jane Birkin was a singular talent who left an indelible mark on French culture and beyond. Her music, her films, and her style will continue to inspire generations to come.