AceShowbiz - Françoise Hardy, a French singer, songwriter and actress whose melancholic voice, doe-eyed beauty and trendsetting style made her an international sensation in the 1960s, has died at 80.

Her son, Thomas Dutronc, a musician himself, announced the sad news on Instagram on Tuesday, June 11. Hardy had revealed in a June 2021 interview that she had been diagnosed with a tumor in her left ear in 2018, following a lymphoma diagnosis in 2004.

Born in Nazi-occupied Paris on January 17, 1944, Francoise Madeleine Hardy was the daughter of a bookkeeper's assistant and a wealthy married man who owned an adding-machine company. Raised by her mother, she developed a passion for music, listening obsessively to Radio Luxembourg and writing her first songs at the age of 16.

Hardy's career soared in 1962 when she performed her hit song "Tous les garcons et les filles" ("All the Boys and Girls") on French television. The song sold over half a million records, captivating audiences with her rich alto and wistful lyrics.

Singing in French, English, Italian and German, Hardy became closely associated with the European rock style known as ye-ye. She incorporated elements of country, folk, bossa nova and baroque pop into her music, working with songwriters such as Serge Gainsbourg and writing many of her own hits.

Her bold fashion sense also made her an icon. She favored flared pants, short skirts, leather jackets and knee-length fur coats, and developed close relationships with renowned couturiers like Paco Rabanne and Yves Saint Laurent.

Hardy appeared in several films, including Roger Vadim's "Nutty, Naughty Chateau" (1963) and John Frankenheimer's "Grand Prix" (1966). However, she preferred music to acting, saying it allowed her to express her emotions more authentically.

Throughout her career, Hardy attracted admirers from the world of music and beyond. Mick Jagger, David Bowie and Bob Dylan were among her ardent fans. Dylan even wrote a poem for her on the liner notes of his fourth album.

Hardy was also passionate about other pursuits, including astrology, which she wrote books and hosted a radio show about. She collaborated with musicians such as Iggy Pop and reflected on her mortality in her later albums.

In 2018, she released her memoir, "The Despair of Monkeys and Other Trifles", in which she wrote about her family's struggles and her own health challenges.

Hardy advocated for assisted suicide, which is illegal in France, as a way to avoid additional pain following her years of cancer treatments. However, she also found solace in her memories and the love of her family.