Emilie Dequenne, the beloved Belgian actress known for her poignant performances, died on Sunday, March 16, 2025, at the age of 43, after bravely battling corticosurrenaloma, a rare and aggressive cancer of the endocrine system. Surrounded by her family—her husband Michel Ferracci and her daughter Milla—Dequenne's passing marks the end of a vibrant career, one illuminated by her powerful breakthrough role as the titular character in the celebrated film Rosetta.
Born on August 29, 1981, Dequenne made waves at just 18 when she won the Best Actress prize at the Cannes Film Festival for her performance in Rosetta, directed by brothers Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne. This accolade highlighted her immense talent and set the stage for nearly two decades of acclaimed work across both Belgian and French cinema.
Despite her success, Dequenne faced her toughest challenge yet when she was diagnosed with corticosurrenaloma, confirmed by medical tests after she sought hospital care for severe abdominal pain and fatigue during the summer of 2023. On August 12, she was admitted for emergency surgery to remove the tumor from her adrenal glands, shortly after which she began intense chemotherapy treatments. "I thought I had six months to live. Before analyzing the tumor, we suspected it was malignant... but never really mentioned corticosurrenaloma, which is extremely rare," she later reflected during interviews.
Dequenne's determination and openness about her struggle resonate with many. After her initial treatment and surgery, she publicly documented her fight against cancer on social media, emphasizing her decision to share her diagnosis. "The cancer is not something to be ashamed of. I felt the need to let those who are ill know they are not alone," she explained to the press.
Sadly, her battle would soon take another turn for the worse; by December 2024, Dequenne announced the cancer's recurrence, telling viewers of Sept à Huit on TF1, "This disease is increasingly aggressive, and I won’t live as long as expected." Her prognosis became dire as she transitioned to palliative care, culminating in her death only four months later.
The news of her passing sent shockwaves through both the entertainment industry and her vast fanbase. Colleagues and friends took to social media to express their sorrow and pay tribute to her legacy. Actor Jean Dujardin expressed his heartache by writing, "Emilie has just left us. No words. I think of you, of your family." Leïla Bekhti added with heartfelt sincerity, "Great lady, great soul, great actress, a queen, I cannot believe it. I loved your rare heart, your kindness, and your talent. You will be missed."
Her contributions to cinema were deeply acknowledged, with many asserting she left behind an indelible mark. Elsa Zylberstein shared her grief, stating, "My Emilie, I dreaded this drama so much... you were magical, what injustice this is." Similarly, Nagui reminded everyone, "Never forget her talent, her humor, her intelligence, her fight, her kindness."
Even during her toughest days, Dequenne radiated hope, as shown by her New Year’s post wishing for "another 20 years of happiness and more." Unfortunately, her courage was not enough to overcome the ravages of her illness, leading to the sadness expressed by many of her contemporaries.
Beyond her beauty and acclaimed performances, Dequenne was known for her kindness and grace. She participated actively in charity work, wanting to uplift others facing similar battles. Her final public appearance came at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2024, where she celebrated the 25th anniversary of Rosetta with dignity, if somewhat fragile after the toll her treatments had taken.
Rachida Dati, the French Minister of Culture, honored her memory with heartfelt remarks, noting the loss of such talent to the francophone film community, "We mourn too soon for such exceptional artistry, and we had so much more to gain from her."
The President of the Cannes Film Festival, Gilles Jacob, also reflected on her vibrant spirit: "She infused unprecedented vitality to films and left us too soon to share the brilliance she had yet to reveal. Her legacy will forever echo within the walls of the cinema."
Emilie Dequenne's story is one of remarkable talent and resilience against tremendous adversity. She may have lost her battle with cancer, but her art and memories will continue to inspire and touch the hearts of those who cherished her. The film world bids farewell to a luminary whose light will never truly fade.