French singer-songwriter Françoise Hardy, who became a cultural icon in the 60’s music scene, has died at the age of 80.
Following a lengthy battle with lymphatic cancer, Ms. Hardy passed away on June 11, her son, musician Thomas Dutrone, said on social media.
Sharing a baby photo of himself with his mother, he simply wrote “Maman est partie” in French, or “Mom is gone.”
Other tributes include France’s Culture Minister, Rachida Dati, who took to social media to offer condolences to Mr. Dutronc and loved ones.
“How to say goodbye to her? Eternal Françoise Hardy, legend of French song, who entered, through her sensitivity and her melodies, into the heart of an entire country. I send my warmest thoughts to Thomas Dutronc, his son, his family and his loved ones,” she wrote in French.
Early Career
Ms. Hardy kick-started her music career in 1962 at the age of 18, with the release of her first single “Tous les garçons et les filles,” (“All the Boys and Girls”) which she both wrote and composed.She quickly became an international hit known for her melancholic tone and pop music that influenced the country’s “yé-yé” movement, a nod to British beat music bands like the Beatles. Her creative process combined poetic lyrics with evocative melodies, even singing in French, English, Italian and German.
Her beauty, talent, and songwriting inspired praise from musical legends worldwide, including Mick Jagger, Bob Dylan and David Bowie.
Ms. Hardy is also best known for her songs “It Hurts to Say Goodbye (Comment te dire adieu),” and “My Friend the Rose (Mon amie la rose).”
Her influence extended beyond France and the music industry as Ms. Hardy branched off into the acting and fashion world.
Ms. Hardy modeled for major brands such as Yves Saint Laurent, with her style captivating other fashion designers too. As an actress, her on-screen appearances spanned over more than a decade, but she'll be best remembered by American audiences for John Frankenheimer’s “Grand Prix” (1966).
Ms. Hardy developed a love for writing, both fiction and non-fiction, and wrote several books on astrology. She also published an autobiography, “The Despair of Monkeys and Other Trifles.”
She still maintained a musical presence throughout the later years of her career, releasing her 28th and final album “Nobody Else“ (”Personne d’Autre”) in 2018.
In 2023, she was the only French artist featured in Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 200 greatest singers of all time, ranking number 162.
Cancer Diagnosis
Ms. Hardy was first diagnosed with lymphoma and laryngeal cancer back in 2004, enduring numerous treatments, including radiotherapy, over the last two decades.In 2015, she was placed in a medically induced coma after suffering from a fall. In 2021, she noted the cancer had spread to one of her ears, leaving her deaf on one side.
Lymphoma is a cancer with two main types—Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL)—and forms in the body’s lymphatic system.
According to the Mayo Clinic, the most common symptoms are painless swelling of lymph nodes in your neck, armpits or groin, but can also include fever, constant fatigue, shortness of breath, and weight loss.
Treatment may involve chemotherapy, immunotherapy medications, radiation therapy, a bone marrow transplant or a combination of the sort.
Laryngeal cancer however, affects the larynx, or voice box that helps people speak, breathe and swallow. Symptoms include voice changes such as hoarseness, and a sore throat or cough that won’t go away. In most cases, surgery is required as an effective treatment option.
