Émilie Dequenne, the acclaimed Belgian actress celebrated for her performance in the Cannes Palme d'Or-winning film "Rosetta," has passed away at the age of 43, following a battle with rare adrenal cancer.
Émilie Dequenne, Celebrated Belgian Actress, Passes Away at 43
Émilie Dequenne, Celebrated Belgian Actress, Passes Away at 43
Award-winning star known for her role in ‘Rosetta’ succumbed to rare cancer after impactful career.
Émilie Dequenne, the Belgian actress who garnered international acclaim for her debut role in the Oscar-winning film "Rosetta," has sadly passed away at the Gustave Roussy Hospital in Villejuif, France, at the age of 43. Her death was confirmed by Marie-Laure Calmette, assistant to her longtime agent Danielle Gain. Dequenne had been diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of adrenal cancer known as adrenocortical carcinoma.
Born on August 29, 1981, in Beloeil, Belgium, Dequenne rose to fame after winning the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival at just 17 years old for her portrayal of a struggling working-class teenager in "Rosetta." The film, directed by Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne, not only took the Palme d'Or at Cannes but also marked the beginning of an illustrious acting career.
Throughout her career, Dequenne worked on various projects, starring in films such as "The Brotherhood of the Wolf," "The Bridge of San Luis Rey," "Our Children," and "This Is Our Land." She earned numerous accolades along the way, including a César Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in "Love Affair(s)," a film released in 2020.
In October 2023, Dequenne revealed her cancer diagnosis, sharing her journey and her desire to openly discuss the challenges of her illness in an interview on the French show "Sept à Huit," which aired in December 2024. She described her symptoms, the testing process, and spoke poignantly of the loneliness that accompanied her health struggles.
Her enduring legacy in cinema includes nearly 50 films, but she remains particularly recognized for her powerful performances in "Rosetta" and the 2012 film "Our Children," which was praised for its emotional depth. Luc Dardenne described her talent, recalling the immediate impact she had during her first audition.
Dequenne is survived by her husband, Michel Ferracci, and a daughter, Milla Savarese, from her previous relationship with Belgian DJ Alexandre Savarese. Tragically, she passed away after a year in remission, having celebrated the 25th anniversary of "Rosetta" at the Cannes Film Festival last year and promoting her latest work, a film titled "TKT," focusing on bullying in a Belgian high school.
Émilie Dequenne's contributions to the film industry and her exceptional performances will forever be remembered by her fans and fellow filmmakers.
Born on August 29, 1981, in Beloeil, Belgium, Dequenne rose to fame after winning the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival at just 17 years old for her portrayal of a struggling working-class teenager in "Rosetta." The film, directed by Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne, not only took the Palme d'Or at Cannes but also marked the beginning of an illustrious acting career.
Throughout her career, Dequenne worked on various projects, starring in films such as "The Brotherhood of the Wolf," "The Bridge of San Luis Rey," "Our Children," and "This Is Our Land." She earned numerous accolades along the way, including a César Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in "Love Affair(s)," a film released in 2020.
In October 2023, Dequenne revealed her cancer diagnosis, sharing her journey and her desire to openly discuss the challenges of her illness in an interview on the French show "Sept à Huit," which aired in December 2024. She described her symptoms, the testing process, and spoke poignantly of the loneliness that accompanied her health struggles.
Her enduring legacy in cinema includes nearly 50 films, but she remains particularly recognized for her powerful performances in "Rosetta" and the 2012 film "Our Children," which was praised for its emotional depth. Luc Dardenne described her talent, recalling the immediate impact she had during her first audition.
Dequenne is survived by her husband, Michel Ferracci, and a daughter, Milla Savarese, from her previous relationship with Belgian DJ Alexandre Savarese. Tragically, she passed away after a year in remission, having celebrated the 25th anniversary of "Rosetta" at the Cannes Film Festival last year and promoting her latest work, a film titled "TKT," focusing on bullying in a Belgian high school.
Émilie Dequenne's contributions to the film industry and her exceptional performances will forever be remembered by her fans and fellow filmmakers.
