Farewell Jane Birkin & Marianne Faithfull
Monday, 24 February 2025Oh dear, they’re dropping dead all around me. First it was Jane Birkin, born 14 December 1946 so six days before me. Died age 76 on 16 July 2023. Then Marianne Faithfull born nine days after me on 29 December 1946 and died age 78 on 30 January 2025.
I’ve been fascinated by both of them. After reading Bringing Home the Birkin – about making a living by chasing around the world buying (and profitably selling) those iconic Birkin bags I even stayed in the author Michael Tonello’s favourite Capri hotel Villa Brunella, when I visited the island in 2013.
◄ Serge Gainsbourg & Jane Birkin, but is that a cane bag Serge is toting? Ms Birkin was famous for her cane bags before Hermes named a handbag after her, even near-naked she’d still be carrying the cane bag.
My travels have taken me to Maryon Park, close to the end of the Thames Path Walk, which played a key role in Antonioni’s classic 1966 film Blowup. So did a teenage Jane Birkin when she’s unclothed by David Hemming’s photographer character. Naked in Blowup was one appearance, but Ms Birkin was also famous for her role as Serge Gainsbourg’s muse and for singing Je t’aime – moi non plus with him. A song which made a nice appearance in 2025 Oscar winning film I’m Still Here.
▲ I’ve visited his grave at the Montparnasse Cemetery in Paris and left some used Métro tickets, as you’re supposed to in memory of his record Le Poinçonneur des Lilas about a Métro ticket checker. The cemetery is not as famous as the Cimetière du Père Lachaise, I’ve been there more than once – Chopin, Balzac, Wilde, Proust, Modigliani and Piaf are all buried there, but it’s rock icon Jim Morrison who attracts the big crowds
◄ And Marianne Faithful – Mick Jagger, interesting relationships with Mars Bars etc – I was in Dublin once, working on the Ireland or Dublin Lonely Planet guidebook, I went to a play and part way through the performance realized ‘oh, that’s Marianne Faithful on stage.’ For good obituaries I’m a great believer in The Economist and sure enough, the 6 February 2025 issue of The Economist featured Ms Faithfull.
