This poignant loss marks the end of a luminous career that began with a Cannes triumph at just 18 years old.
Émilie Dequenne: Beloved Cannes Winner Passes at 43 Due to Cancer
Émilie Dequenne: Beloved Cannes Winner Passes at 43 Due to Cancer
Cannes award-winning actress Émilie Dequenne has died after a courageous battle with cancer at the age of 43.
Émilie Dequenne, the celebrated Belgian actress renowned for her role in the critically acclaimed film Rosetta, has tragically passed away at the age of 43 after a battle with cancer. Dequenne gained widespread recognition when she won the prestigious Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival in 1999 for her portrayal of a teenager striving for a better life in the gripping drama. Her talent secured her another Cannes honor for À Perdre la Raison (Our Children) in 2012, and she later earned a César Award for her role in Les Choses Qu'on Dit, les Choses Qu'on Fait (The Things We Say, the Things We Do) in 2021.
While the majority of her work was in French-language cinema, Dequenne also made her mark on television with a notable role as police officer Laurence Relaud in the BBC drama The Missing, which aired in 2014. The film Rosetta, directed by renowned filmmakers Luc and Jean-Pierre Dardenne, famously achieved the Palme d'Or at Cannes, a testament to the film's artistic integrity and Dequenne's standout performance. Dardenne fondly reminisced about her dedication during filming, recalling how she united the crew with her natural talent and charisma.
Dequenne was last seen on the Cannes red carpet during the film festival in 2022, reminding fans of her enduring grace and talent. Her filmography also includes notable projects such as La fille du RER (The Girl on the Train), Pas Son Genre (Not My Type), and the 2022 Cannes-nominated film Close, further establishing her legacy in the film industry.
The French Minister of Culture, Rachida Dati, offered heartfelt condolences, stating, "Francophone cinema has lost, too soon, a talented actress who still had so much to offer." In October 2023, Dequenne bravely shared news of her diagnosis with adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC), a rare form of cancer affecting the adrenal glands. In one of her final social media posts for World Cancer Day in February, she emphasized the challenging journey of fighting the illness, underscoring the resilience that characterized both her life and career.
While the majority of her work was in French-language cinema, Dequenne also made her mark on television with a notable role as police officer Laurence Relaud in the BBC drama The Missing, which aired in 2014. The film Rosetta, directed by renowned filmmakers Luc and Jean-Pierre Dardenne, famously achieved the Palme d'Or at Cannes, a testament to the film's artistic integrity and Dequenne's standout performance. Dardenne fondly reminisced about her dedication during filming, recalling how she united the crew with her natural talent and charisma.
Dequenne was last seen on the Cannes red carpet during the film festival in 2022, reminding fans of her enduring grace and talent. Her filmography also includes notable projects such as La fille du RER (The Girl on the Train), Pas Son Genre (Not My Type), and the 2022 Cannes-nominated film Close, further establishing her legacy in the film industry.
The French Minister of Culture, Rachida Dati, offered heartfelt condolences, stating, "Francophone cinema has lost, too soon, a talented actress who still had so much to offer." In October 2023, Dequenne bravely shared news of her diagnosis with adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC), a rare form of cancer affecting the adrenal glands. In one of her final social media posts for World Cancer Day in February, she emphasized the challenging journey of fighting the illness, underscoring the resilience that characterized both her life and career.
