In 2013, Jane Birkin, who died on Sunday, spoke with Le Monde about singer Serge Gainsbourg, who was her partner and wrote many songs for her.

After Serge Gainsbourg met you, in 1968, he never appeared alone in a photo. We know that actresses attract photographers, but did Gainsbourg become Mr. Birkin by your side?

No, it’s much more prosaic than that. I had just arrived from England. We were starting a life together. I think Serge simply wanted to introduce me to the French. Right from our first collaboration, he put me in the spotlight. On the cover of the album Je T’Aime… Moi Non Plus, he preferred to show my face… with my big teeth! It was a very conscious decision. He wanted me to be associated with this success.

Later, when I took part in protests for abortion rights or against the death penalty, he was very concerned. It wasn’t a question of conviction. I knew his ideas. But showing up at these rallies, which were unpopular at the time, seemed risky to him. I had to be a star that was accepted by the French.

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Continue reading at ourceLe Mondea: Jane Birkin: ‘Serge Gainsbourg was a provocateur with a wildly romantic soul’