Star of the Week - Françoise Hardy

 

Françoise Madeleine Hardy (born 17 January 1944) is a French singer, actress and astrologer. Hardy is an iconic figure in fashion, music and style. She is married to the singer and movie actor Jacques Dutronc.

 

Hardy grew up in the 9th arrondissement of Paris with her younger sister Michèle. Her parents lived apart when she was young and her father contributed little financially to the family and had little to do with his daughters.

 

Hardy sings in French, English, Italian, Spanish and German, and has one interpretation in Portuguese. In 1963 she came fifth for Monaco in the Eurovision Song Contest with "L'amour s'en va". In 1963, she was awarded the Grand Prix Du Disque of the Charles Cros Academy.
In 1981, she married her long-time companion Jacques Dutronc, who is the father of her son, Thomas Dutronc, born in 1973. Hardy lives near Paris and Dutronc in Monticello, Corsica, although they remain a couple.

Hardy is mentioned in a poem by Bob Dylan "Some other kinds of songs" which he wrote on the cover of his album Another Side of Bob Dylan, released in 1964. Hardy's style influences Nicolas Ghesquière, head of the couture house, Balenciaga.
Hardy's song, "Ce Petit Coeur", was featured in the Gilmore Girls episode, "French Twist."