History of Jane Birkin in Timeline

Jane Birkin (1946-2023) was a British-French actress, singer, and fashion icon. Residing primarily in France from the late 1960s, she became a prominent figure in French cinema. Birkin was also known for her musical career and distinctive personal style, which made her a fashion symbol. Her relationship with Serge Gainsbourg further cemented her place in popular culture. The Hermès Birkin bag, named after her, became a widely recognized status symbol in the fashion world. Overall, she was a triple threat known for her acting, music and fashion influence.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1964: Meeting John Barry

In 1964, Jane Birkin met John Barry when he cast her in his musical Passion Flower Hotel.

October 1965: Marriage to John Barry

On October 16, 1965, 18-year-old Jane Birkin married British composer John Barry in London.

1967: Birth of daughter Kate Barry

In 1967, Jane Birkin and John Barry's daughter, photographer Kate Barry, was born.

1968: Met Serge Gainsbourg

In 1968, Jane Birkin met Serge Gainsbourg on the set of the film Slogan, beginning a 12-year romantic and creative relationship.

1968: End of marriage to John Barry

In 1968, Jane Birkin's marriage to John Barry ended.

1971: Birth of daughter Charlotte Gainsbourg

In 1971, Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg had a daughter, actress and singer Charlotte Gainsbourg.

1980: Separation from Serge Gainsbourg

In 1980, Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg separated due to his alcoholism and violence.

September 1982: Birth of daughter Lou Doillon

On September 4, 1982, Jane Birkin gave birth to her third daughter, Lou Doillon, from her relationship with director Jacques Doillon.

1982: 1982 Design

In 1982, Jane Birkin told Hermès chief executive Jean-Louis Dumas that it had been difficult to find a leather weekend bag she liked which lead to him designing the Birkin bag based on a 1982 design.

1983: Encounter with Jean-Louis Dumas on a flight

In 1983, Hermès chief executive Jean-Louis Dumas encountered Jane Birkin on a flight from Paris to London, leading to a conversation about her difficulty in finding a suitable leather weekend bag.

1984: Creation of the Birkin bag

In 1984, Hermès created the Birkin bag for Jane Birkin, based on a 1982 design.

1985: Best Actress Award at Orleans Film Festival

In 1985, Jane Birkin won the "Best Actress" award at the Orleans Film Festival for her role in Leave All Fair. She was also recognized at the Venice Film Festival for her performance in Dust.

1991: Death of Serge Gainsbourg

Serge Gainsbourg, with whom Birkin had a significant relationship, died in 1991.

1993: Separation from Jacques Doillon

In 1993, Jane Birkin separated from Jacques Doillon after a thirteen-year relationship.

2001: Awarded OBE at Buckingham Palace

In 2001, Jane Birkin received an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) award at Buckingham Palace in London.

2001: Appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire

In 2001, Jane Birkin was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for her services to acting and UK-French cultural relations.

April 2002: Received OBE from Prince of Wales

In April 2002, Jane Birkin received the Order of the British Empire from the Prince of Wales.

2002: Protest against Jean-Marie Le Pen

In 2002, Jane Birkin participated in a protest against the far-right in France, denouncing Jean-Marie Le Pen's qualification in the second round of the presidential election.

2002: Diagnosis with Leukaemia

In 2002, Jane Birkin was diagnosed with leukaemia and underwent treatment.

2002: Image featured on Badly Drawn Boy's album cover

In 2002, Jane Birkin's image was featured on the cover art of Have You Fed the Fish? by Badly Drawn Boy, which also included backing vocals by her daughter Charlotte Gainsbourg.

2003: Recording of "Beauty" for Strong Currents album

In 2003, Jane Birkin recorded the song "Beauty" for French producer Hector Zazou's album Strong Currents, which featured various artists and included covers of Nina Hynes' songs.

2004: Release of Rendez-vous

In 2004, Birkin released Rendez-vous, an album featuring duets with artists like Francoise Hardy and Bryan Ferry.

2004: Awarded France's Ordre nationale du Merite

In 2004, Jane Birkin was awarded France's Ordre nationale du Merite.

2006: Release of Fictions album

In 2006, Birkin released the album Fictions, adding to her discography of albums.

2007: Report in The Observer

In 2007, The Observer reported on Jacques Doillon's inability to compete with Jane Birkin's grief for Serge Gainsbourg and her life since their separation.

2008: Release of Enfants d'hiver album

In 2008, Jane Birkin released the album Enfants d'hiver, continuing her musical career.

2010: Protest against immigration policies

In 2010, Jane Birkin demonstrated support for immigrants, protesting against the French government's policy towards undocumented migrants and outside the residence of the Minister of Immigration, Éric Besson. She also sponsored a young Congolese who had requested political asylum.

2010: Duet with Sérgio Dias on We Are the Lilies

In 2010, Jane Birkin recorded a duet, "Marie", with Brazilian singer Sérgio Dias, which appeared on the album We Are the Lilies by Dias and French band Tahiti Boy and the Palmtree Family.

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December 2013: Death of daughter Kate Barry

In December 2013, Jane Birkin's daughter, Kate Barry, died after falling from her apartment in Paris.

2013: Appointed Chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres

In 2013, Jane Birkin and her daughter, Lou Doillon, were appointed to the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres as Chevaliers.

2013: Death of daughter Kate Barry

In December 2013, Jane Birkin's daughter, Kate Barry, died after falling from her Paris apartment.

2015: March in support of refugees

In 2015, Jane Birkin marched in Paris in support of refugees.

2015: Request to remove name from Birkin Croco bag

In 2015, Jane Birkin requested Hermès to remove her name from the Birkin Croco bag due to concerns about the methods used to acquire crocodile skins, which Hermès addressed with new assurances.

2015: Awarded French Ordre National du Mérite

In 2015, Jane Birkin was awarded the French Ordre National du Mérite.

2016: Advertising campaign and lead role in La femme et le TGV

In 2016, Jane Birkin appeared in an Yves Saint Laurent advertising campaign and played the lead role in the short film La femme et le TGV.

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March 2017: Release of Birkin/Gainsbourg: Le Symphonique

On March 24, 2017, Jane Birkin released Birkin/Gainsbourg: Le Symphonique, a collection of songs written by Serge Gainsbourg for her, reworked with orchestral arrangements.

September 2017: Live performance in Brussels to promote new album

In September 2017, Jane Birkin performed live in Brussels to promote her album Birkin/Gainsbourg: Le Symphonique.

2017: Performance at free concert against Marine Le Pen

In 2017, Jane Birkin performed at a free concert in Paris to protest against Marine Le Pen in the 2017 presidential election.

2017: Announcement of final acting performance

In 2017, Jane Birkin stated that her role in La femme et le TGV would be her last, announcing her retirement from acting.

September 2018: Signatory of open letter on climate change

In September 2018, Jane Birkin was among 200 artists and scientists who signed an open letter published in Le Monde, urging politicians to act against climate change and biodiversity loss.

2018: Awarded Order of the Rising Sun

In 2018, Jane Birkin was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun in the Spring Conferment for promoting cultural exchanges between Japan and France.

2020: Recalling 1970s Paris

In 2020, Jane Birkin recalled Paris in the 1970s, reflecting on the time's innocence compared to contemporary social problems.

July 2021: Premiere of documentary 'Jane by Charlotte'

In July 2021, one of Jane Birkin's last public appearances was at the premiere of the documentary 'Jane by Charlotte', about her relationship with her daughter, Charlotte Gainsbourg.

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