Émilie Dequenne, the beloved Belgian actress, passed away 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 funeral is set to take place today, March 26, 2025, at 15:30 at the Père-Lachaise crematorium in Paris, where family, friends, and admirers will gather to pay their final respects.
In a heartfelt request, Dequenne's family has asked that no flowers be sent. Instead, they encourage mourners to make donations to the Gustave Roussy Institute to support research into the disease that took her life. "Please help us advance research on corticosurrenaloma by donating to the Gustave Roussy Institute," her family stated, echoing Émilie's own wishes. They have set up a page on the institute's website for those wishing to contribute, reinforcing her dream of a world where treatments are more effective.
Émilie Dequenne first captured the public's attention at just 18 years old in the film Rosetta, directed by the Dardenne brothers, which earned her the prestigious Best Actress prize at the Cannes Film Festival in 1999. Her talent shone brightly in a career spanning over two decades, featuring roles in more than fifty films, including notable works like Le Pacte des loups, La Fille du RER, and Les Choses qu'on dit, les choses qu'on fait.
In October 2023, Dequenne announced her diagnosis of corticosurrenaloma, a rare cancer that affects only one to two people per million annually in France. She had undergone a significant emergency operation in mid-August 2023, after which she initially reported being in remission. However, by December, she revealed that her condition had worsened, stating, "With this increasingly aggressive disease, I will not live as long as expected." Despite her struggles, she maintained a courageous spirit, often sharing her journey on social media.
Her death has prompted an outpouring of tributes from the film community, with many prominent figures expressing their sorrow. Luc Dardenne, who directed her in Rosetta, reflected on their collaboration, saying, "It was a great pleasure to work with her. We all understood from the first day of filming that she was meant to be Rosetta." Other stars, including Juliette Binoche, Tahar Rahim, and Virginie Efira, also took to social media to honor her memory.
In addition to the funeral in Paris, a tribute ceremony is planned in her hometown of Chièvres, Belgium, where a condolence book will be made available for those wishing to share their memories of the actress. Émilie leaves behind her husband, Michel Ferracci, and her daughter, Milla, who is 22 years old. Milla, in a touching Instagram post, expressed her gratitude for the support she has received: "I see all your messages of support, and I thank you all deeply. I do not have the strength to respond or express myself at the moment, but know that it touches me profoundly."
Dequenne's fight against cancer was not only a personal struggle but also a public one, as she chose to share her journey with her fans. In interviews, she spoke candidly about the challenges of dealing with such an aggressive illness. "There is a part of my cancer that responds to medication and another part that does not, and the part that is progressing is larger than the part that is reducing," she explained in a December interview.
Throughout her career, Dequenne received numerous accolades, including multiple César nominations and victories at the Magritte Awards, the Belgian equivalent of the César. Her performances were marked by a deep emotional resonance, leaving a lasting impact on audiences and critics alike. Thierry Frémaux, the General Delegate of the Cannes Film Festival, noted, "We mourn her loss; she was a remarkable actress who still had so much love to give. Her life ended scandalously early."
Émilie Dequenne's legacy will endure through her films and the memories of those who loved her. As the film community gathers to honor her today, they celebrate not only her talent but also her spirit and resilience in the face of adversity. Her request for donations in lieu of flowers underscores her commitment to fighting the very disease that claimed her life, ensuring that her legacy will contribute to future advancements in cancer research.
As the ceremony unfolds at Père-Lachaise, friends and colleagues will remember Émilie not just as an actress but as a vibrant person who touched many lives with her kindness and artistry. The world of cinema has lost a shining star, but her impact will be felt for years to come.
