French cinema is mourning the loss of Émilie Dequenne, the beloved Belgian actress, who died on March 16, 2025, at the age of 43 after a courageous battle with corticosurrenaloma, a rare form of cancer affecting the endocrine system. Her death was confirmed late Sunday evening, leaving her family and fans heartbroken.
Dequenne’s illustrious career began at just 18 when she starred in the critically acclaimed film Rosetta by the Dardenne brothers, which won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. Winning the award for Best Actress the same year solidified her status as one of cinema’s rising stars. "C’est terrible, c’est dégueulasse la vie, parfois... Elle avait encore tellement de choses à faire. On doit accepter, c’est très, très, très triste,” expressed Luc Dardenne, reflecting on the loss of such a vibrant talent.
After her breakout role, Dequenne dazzled audiences with her performances across nearly 50 films, effectively dodging efforts to categorically define her as an actress. "Je ne veux pas être cataloguée dans un genre, je change de tête à chaque fois,” she once declared. Her roles spanned emotional depths, from playing the rebellious factory worker fighting for normality in Rosetta to the complex characters she portrayed later, such as the troubled mother in À perdre la raison, which also earned her accolades.
Despite her fame, Dequenne remained grounded, often crediting her working-class roots for her down-to-earth nature. “J'ai reçu une éducation ouvrière, dans le respect du travail bien fait,” she stated, highlighting her belief in equal treatment regardless of social status. Describing herself as "fonceuse" and "déterminée," her early years shaped her ambition to succeed.
After being diagnosed with cancer, she bravely shared her healing process with fans through social media, inspiring many with her resilience. "Jouer me manque tant,” she lamented on Instagram, expressing her longing to return to the screen as her health waned. On February 4, 2025, she dedicated a poignant post to World Cancer Day, emphasizing the importance of discussing the illness and dispelling its stigma.
On the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival for the anniversary of Rosetta and the premiere of her last film, Survivre, it was apparent to all who saw her how deeply dedicated she was to her craft. Co-star and director Hugo Gélin noted, "Ta gentillesse, ta douceur, ta force, ta beauté, ton talent et ton courage vont terriblement nous manquer,” reflecting the heartfelt sentiments of her colleagues across the industry.
French and Belgium cinematic communities erupted with grief following her passing, with many fellow actors sharing memories and tributes via social media. “I n’ai pas les mots, que de la tristesse,” wrote Alexandra Lamy, capturing the collective sorrow felt throughout both directors’ and actors’ circles. Actor Jean Dujardin simply commented, "Pas de mots. Je pense à toi, à ta famille,” shedding light on the personal impact Dequenne had on her peers.
Dequenne’s enduring legacy is evident not only through her film accomplishments—including wins and nominations at prestigious festivals—but also through the lives she touched and the conversations she spurred surrounding health and resilience. "Elle avait la rage au ventre,” Luc Dardenne expressed, praising the fierce passion with which she approached both acting and her battle against cancer.
From her poignant performances to her unwavering spirit, Émilie Dequenne leaves behind not just a legacy of cinematic brilliance but also as an icon of strength, perseverance, and vulnerability. The world of cinema will forever be colored by her spirit, reminding all to cherish life’s moments, no matter how difficult the circumstances. Her final performances resonate with audiences even more poignantly now, encapsulating the essence of both her career and the personal battle she fought so valiantly.