Actress Émilie Dequenne Dies at 43: What Happened?

The world of acting is in mourning. On Sunday, March 16, the sad news broke of the passing of Belgian actress Émilie Dequenne, best known for her role in the film Rosetta. The 43-year-old actress died after battling a rare form of adrenal gland cancer.

Her family and her representative, Danielle Gain, confirmed the news. Dequenne passed away at a hospital in Villejuif, on the outskirts of Paris, where she had been receiving palliative care, according to various local media reports.

In October 2023, Dequenne publicly announced that she had been diagnosed with adrenocortical carcinoma, a rare type of cancer affecting the adrenal gland. Despite undergoing treatment and achieving complete remission in April 2024, the disease returned in December of the same year. Throughout her fight, the actress courageously shared her journey in interviews and on social media, demonstrating admirable strength and resilience.

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A Wave of Tributes from the Film Industry

News of her passing has prompted an outpouring of tributes from the film world. Colleagues and industry figures have expressed their sorrow, praising both her talent and her warmth. France’s Minister of Culture, Rachida Dati, also mourned her loss on social media, emphasizing that Francophone cinema had “lost a talented actress far too soon, one who still had so much to give.”

A Life Dedicated to Cinema

Born on August 29, 1981, Dequenne rose to fame at just 18 when she starred in Rosetta, directed by the Dardenne brothers. Her performance in the film earned her the Best Actress award at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival, launching her as one of the most promising figures in Francophone cinema.

Over the course of her career, Dequenne appeared in more than 60 productions, working with some of France’s most renowned directors. Among her most notable films are Le Pacte des Loups (2001), Le Grand Meaulnes (2006), and Charlotte Corday (2008). She also received five César Award nominations—the highest honor in French cinema—and won the award for Best Supporting Actress in 2021 for her role in Les Choses qu’on dit, les Choses qu’on fait.