Gainsbarre Biography: Wife, Age, Net Worth, Siblings, Parents, Height, Children, Movies, Songs, Books, Death, Awards   

Serge Gainsbourg was a French singer-songwriter, actor, and filmmaker who rose to prominence in the 1960s with his provocative and often controversial music.

Gainsbourg‘s music often pushed the boundaries of social norms and challenged conventional ideas about love, sex, and politics.

His songs, such as Je time… moi non-plus, caused a scandal upon their release due to their suggestive lyrics and breathy vocals, but they also topped the charts in several countries.

Gainsbourg‘s influence on French music and culture is undeniable, and he remains revered.

Profile

•   Full name: Lucien Ginsburg
•   Nickname: Gainsbarre
•   Date of birth: April 2, 1928
•   Age as of 2024: 96 (deceased)
•   Gender: Male
•   Place of birth: Paris, France
•   Nationality: French
•   Profession: Singer-songwriter, actor, filmmaker
•   Height: 5 ft 10 1⁄2 in (1.79 m)
•   Parents: Joseph Ginsburg and Olga (Bessman) Ginsburg
•   Siblings: Liliane Ginsburg (twin sister)
•   Spouse: Elisabeth Levitzky (married 1951, divorced 1957), Béatrice Pancrazzi (married 1964, divorced 1966)
•   Children: Natacha Gainsbourg, Paul Gainsbourg, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Lucien Gainsbourg
•   Relationship status: Deceased
•   Religion: N/A
•   Ethnicity: Russian Jewish
•   Net worth: $50 million

Early Life and Education

Serge Gainsbourg (96, deceased) was born in Paris, France, on April 2, 1928. His parents, Joseph and Olga Ginsburg, were Russian Jewish immigrants who fled to Paris after the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution.

Gainsbourg grew up in a household where music was a constant presence, as his father was a classically trained pianist. He learned to play the piano at a young age and began composing his songs in his teens.

World War II and the Nazi occupation of France disrupted Gainsbourg’s early education. His family was forced to wear the yellow star and faced discrimination due to their Jewish heritage.

These experiences profoundly impacted Gainsbourg and shaped his worldview. After the war, he attended the École nationale supérieure des beaux-arts, where he studied painting. However, he soon abandoned his artistic pursuits to focus on music.

Personal Life

Gainsbourg was married twice and had several high-profile relationships. His first marriage was to Elisabeth Levitzky, a secretary and model, in 1951. The couple divorced in 1957.

In 1964, he married Béatrice Pancrazzi, with whom he had two children, Natacha and Paul. They divorced in 1966. Gainsbourg’s most enduring relationship was with English actress and singer Jane Birkin.

They met in 1968 on the set of the film Slogan and began a passionate and tumultuous relationship that lasted for 12 years. They had one daughter together, Charlotte Gainsbourg, who became a successful actress and singer in her own right. Gainsbourg also had a son, Lucien, with his last partner, Bambou.

Career

Gainsbourg’s career began in the 1950s when he performed in Parisian cabarets. He initially struggled to find success, but his fortunes changed in the 1960s with the release of several hit songs, including Le Poinçonneur des Lilas and La Javanaise. Gainsbourg‘s music was often characterized by its wit, sophistication, and a touch of provocation.

He was not afraid to tackle controversial subjects, and his songs often dealt with themes of love, sex, and death. In addition to his music career, Gainsbourg acted in several films and directed a few of his own. He was a multi-talented artist who left his mark on French culture.

Awards

•   1979: César Award for Best Original Score for the film Je t’aime moi non plus
•   1996: Inducted into the Victoires de la Musique Hall of Fame

Net worth

Gainsbourg‘s net worth at the time of his death was $50 million. He was a successful musician and actor who earned a significant income. His music continues to generate royalties, and his estate is likely worth a lot.

Death

Serge Gainsbourg died on March 2, 1991, at the age of 62, from a heart attack. He is buried in the Montparnasse Cemetery in Paris.

Controversy

Gainsbourg’s career was marked by controversy. His provocative lyrics and often outrageous behaviour often landed him in hot water with the authorities and the public. Some of his most controversial moments include:

  The BBC banned the song Je t’aime… moi non-plus and condemned by the Vatican for its suggestive lyrics and breathy vocals.

  His reggae version of the French national anthem, La Marseillaise, sparked outrage among conservative groups.

His drunken appearance on a French television show in 1984, during which he made lewd comments to Whitney Houston.

His song Lemon Incest, which featured his then 12-year-old daughter, Charlotte, was accused of promoting paedophilia.

Social Media

•   N/A

Filmography

•   1959: Les Loups dans la bergerie
•   1960: La Récréation
•   1967: L’Horizon
•   1968: Slogan
•   1969: Mr. Freedom
•   1971: Cannabis
•   1976: Je t’aime moi non plus
•   1980: Le Physique et le Figuratif
•   1981: Docteur Jekyll et les femmes
•   1983: Équateur

Discography

•   1958: Du chant à la une!
•   1959: N° 2
•   1961: L’Étonnant Serge Gainsbourg
•   1962: N° 4
•   1963: Gainsbourg Confidentiel
• 1964: Gainsbourg Percussions
• 1967: Anna

Books

•   1980: Evguénie Sokolov