Françoise Hardy dies at 80: A voice silenced by cancer

Actress, singer, 60s star - Françoise Hardy passed away at 80. She had been battling various cancers for years. She called the fact that euthanasia is not allowed in France cruelty.

Her family announced the death of Françoise Hardy. The star's son, Thomas Dutronc, posted a short entry on social media: "Mom is gone." The actress was diagnosed with MALT lymphoma between late 2004 and early 2005, which - as she commented - started a "hellish time" in her life. The star underwent chemotherapy, which was successful but only for a few years. In 2015, Hardy's health significantly deteriorated. She was admitted to the hospital, where she was put into a coma. "I am isolated and very hindered by the disease. More than ten years ago, I was diagnosed with lymphoma, but recently it has gotten worse. Sometimes I don't see anyone; I don't go out. But I try to stay positive, living day by day," she said in an interview with "Le Figaro."

The actress's health deteriorated again in 2021. That's when she began speaking publicly about the importance of introducing a law legalizing assisted suicide in France. She openly stated that she would want to undergo euthanasia if her condition worsened.

"I can cook for myself. As long as I can do that, it's okay. But if it gets worse, if I am weakened to the point where I can't do anything for myself, I would seriously consider euthanasia. I cannot just wait for death. I can't live. I can't do anything that is essential in life," she said in one of the interviews.

Over the years, Hardy was diagnosed with ear cancer, and intensive treatment caused her excruciating pain. She couldn't swallow, and most notably, she could no longer sing. "My suffering is so immense that I fear death will bring even greater suffering," she said.

She called France, which has not legalized euthanasia, an inhumane country. "It's not about doctors consenting to every such request, but about shortening unnecessary suffering in incurable diseases when it becomes unbearable," she commented.

Hardy passed away on June 11, 2024, from laryngeal cancer. She was an actress known for productions such as "Grand Prix," "Nutty, Naughty Chateau," and "What's New Pussycat?". In France, she was primarily a music icon. She began her global career at the age of 18. Her first and biggest hit was the song "Tous les Garçons et les Filles." She recorded with the biggest names in French pop culture but also made a name for herself in the UK and the USA. Mick Jagger and Bob Dylan were photographed with her. A fascinating film about her life will indeed be made one day.