A spontaneous decision to replace her sister in the 1959 French radio talent contest Naissance d'une étoile launched the career of Maïtena Marie Brigitte Douménach. Known professionally as Marie Laforêt, she evolved from a prize-winning amateur into a prominent force in the French pop scene, eventually transitioning between acting, singing, and art dealing across several decades.
Early Development
Born on 5 October 1939 in Soulac-sur-Mer, her family background was rooted in the Pyrénées region. Her father was an industrialist who served as a prisoner of war during World War II, during which time the family sought refuge in Cahors and Lavelanet. Following the war, the family settled in Paris. Her formal education included time at the Cours Simon, Lycee La Fontaine, and Cours Raymond Rouleau. These theatrical studies served a cathartic purpose for Laforêt, who initially considered religious life before committing to the dramatic arts.
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Laforêt’s screen debut occurred in the 1960 drama Plein Soleil, directed by René Clément, where she performed opposite Alain Delon. Her husband, director Jean-Gabriel Albicocco, cast her in his 1961 film La Fille aux Yeux d'Or, a work that solidified her nickname. Musically, her debut film Saint Tropez Blues featured her singing the title song. Her commercial success grew with the 1963 hit Les Vendanges de l'Amour and the 1966 track Manchester et Liverpool. Unlike many peers, her repertoire drew heavily from world folklore, incorporating exotic melodies that distinguished her from the prevailing yé-yé style of the time.
Shift to Switzerland
By the late 1970s, Laforêt grew disillusioned with the constraints of the music industry and the expectations of CBS Records. In 1978, she relocated to Geneva, Switzerland, where she obtained citizenship and shifted her focus toward operating an art gallery. Though she released singles periodically and returned to the stage in the 1990s and 2000s—including a sold-out French tour in 2005—her primary professional activities became increasingly centered on acting and her personal interests.
Personal Life and Final Years
Laforêt was married five times: to Jean-Gabriel Albicocco, Alain Kahn-Sriber, Pierre Meyer, and Eric de Lavandeyra. She also had a long-term relationship with Judas Azuelos, with whom she had two children, Élise and Jean-Mehdi. Her third child, Eve-Marie-Deborah, was born during her marriage to Kahn-Sriber. Laforêt died on 2 November 2019 in Genolier, Switzerland, at the age of 80, following a battle with bone cancer. She was laid to rest at the Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris.
Fast facts
- Born: 5 October 1939, Soulac-sur-Mer
- Died: 2 November 2019, Genolier
- Citizenship: France and Switzerland
- Education: Cours Simon
- Notable work: Manchester et Liverpool
- Burial site: Père Lachaise Cemetery
- Career start: 1959
- Primary occupations: Actor, singer, gallerist
Questions readers ask
What was the origin of Marie Laforêt's nickname?
She was known as 'The Girl with the Golden Eyes' following her appearance in the 1961 film of the same name, which was based on a story by Balzac.
Did Marie Laforêt continue performing late in her life?
Yes, she performed in various plays in Paris and held a sold-out tour in France in September 2005.
Achievements
- Notable work: Manchester et Liverpool
- Instruments: voice
- Genres: chanson and pop music
