Jane Mallory Birkin (December 14, 1946 – July 16, 2023) was a British and French actress, singer, and designer. Born in London, she began acting in films like Blowup (1966) and Kaleidoscope (1966). In 1968, she met Serge Gainsbourg, leading to a personal and professional partnership.
They released the album Jane Birkin/Serge Gainsbourg (1969) and worked on Je t’aime moi non plus (1976). Birkin lived mainly in France, where she gained citizenship. She was mother to Kate Barry, Charlotte Gainsbourg, and Lou Doillon, and lent her name to the Hermès Birkin handbag.
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Table of Contents
Jane Birkin Net Worth
Jane Birkin had a net worth of $20 million at the time of her death on July 16, 2023, aged 76. She began acting in films during the 1960s and starred in the 1969 French movie Slogan alongside Serge Gainsbourg, with whom she recorded several duets.
Her other credits include Don Juan, or if Don Juan Were a Woman, Je t’aime… moi non plus, Death on the Nile, Evil Under the Sun, Leave All Fair, A Soldier’s Daughter Never Cries, and Elektra. Birkin released 14 studio albums from 1969 to 2008.
Early life
Jane Mallory Birkin was born on December 14, 1946, in Marylebone, London. Her father, Lt-Cdr David Leslie Birkin (1914–1991), was a Royal Navy lieutenant commander and World War II spy who worked with the French Resistance. He was the grandson of Sir Thomas Birkin, 1st Baronet.
Birkin was related to film director Carol Reed and actor Oliver Reed through her father. Her mother, Judy Mary Campbell, was a stage actress and muse to Noël Coward. Birkin’s elder brother is screenwriter and director Andrew Birkin.
Career
Jane Birkin emerged in the Swinging London scene of the 1960s, appearing in The Knack …and How to Get It (1965). She starred in the musical Passion Flower Hotel, where John Barry proposed to her, but they married when she was 18.
Birkin had roles in Richard Lester’s The Knack, Michelangelo Antonioni’s Blowup (1966), and Joe Massot’s Wonderwall (1968). She met Serge Gainsbourg during Slogan (1969), moved to France, and starred in La Piscine (1969). Her French accent became a career asset.
Personal life
On October 16, 1965, 18-year-old Jane Birkin married British composer and conductor John Barry, who was 13 years older. They met in 1964 when Barry cast Birkin in his musical Passion Flower Hotel. Their daughter, Kate Barry (1967–2013), was born during their marriage.
Birkin described Barry as a “cold and unfaithful husband” and expressed feeling “unwanted” and “unloved.” Their marriage ended in 1968 after Barry moved to the United States, leaving Birkin and their daughter in England.
Does Jane Birkin make money from Hermès?
Jane Birkin earned approximately $40,000 annually in royalties from Hermès for the use of her name on the Birkin bag. Despite the bag sharing her namesake, Birkin only owned a few of the bags in her lifetime. She consistently donated all her royalties to various charities, reflecting her generosity. Although she did not design the bag, her association with Hermès and the iconic Birkin bag made her name globally recognized in the fashion world.
Conclusion
Jane Birkin’s legacy as a fashion muse, actress, and singer remains impactful. Her net worth of $20 million reflects her success and the lasting mark she left on various creative industries.
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FAQs about Jane Birkin Net Worth
- What are some notable films Jane Birkin appeared in?
- Birkin starred in several acclaimed films throughout her career, showcasing her range as an actress.
- Did Jane Birkin continue to influence fashion after her acting career?
- Yes, her influence in fashion continued, notably through the enduring popularity of the Hermès Birkin bag.
- What was Jane Birkin’s relationship with Serge Gainsbourg?
- She had a decade-long romantic and musical partnership with Serge Gainsbourg.
- How has the Hermès Birkin bag impacted Jane Birkin’s net worth?
- The bag added to her net worth through annual royalties from Hermès.
- What was Jane Birkin’s contribution to music?
- Jane Birkin released several albums and is remembered for her duets with Serge Gainsbourg.
