Jane Birkin’s Husband: The Actress Married John Barry at 18 They Had a Daughter

Jane Birkin’s former husband, John Barry, was an incredible artist. Despite their age difference, their love for each other was genuine. However, the actress once admitted to an unpleasant truth about their relationship.

Jane Birkin, the acclaimed fashion icon and talented actress, died on July 16, 2023. Her life was captivating, with her impeccable fashion sense, successful career, exciting dating experiences, and enchanting romances.

However, the late fashion icon’s short marriage to acclaimed musician and composer John Barry, a man she encountered during her adolescence, sparked curiosity among all fans.

Renowned music composer John Barry, who became Jane Birkin’s husband, was born in November 1933. His love for music developed early on, likely influenced by his mother, a classical pianist, and his father, who owned a chain of motion picture theaters.

In his early days, John joined a rock and roll band called “John Barry and the Seven.” However, his career took a momentous turn in 1962 when he got to arrange and perform the iconic James Bond theme for the film “Dr. No.”

The success of this theme led to his involvement in eleven James Bond films, composing theme songs for many of them, some of which became international pop hits. Despite being known for action-packed Bond movies, John’s talent allowed him to excel in various film genres.

He achieved great recognition throughout his career, winning several accolades, including Oscars and Grammys. He continued to create memorable scores for a wide range of films until he passed away in January 2011.

John was the firm man Jane married. The couple’s paths initially crossed in the early 1960s while filming “The Knack,” but it wasn’t until filming “Passion Flower Hotel” that they truly connected.

Jane admitted she felt insecure in her relationship with John and tried hard to fit the famous 1960s “English pretty” look with fashion, miniskirts, and blonde haircuts.

While John was already an accomplished artist, Jane was an up-and-coming starlet. His charisma and extensive experience captivated her. As their romance blossomed, their co-stars in “Passion Flower Hotel” became aware of their budding relationship.

However, a few of their colleagues expressed concerns about John’s reputation for entering and exiting marriages without warning. After six months together, John proposed to Jane following his divorce from his previous spouse.

Despite their significant age difference — Jane was 18, and John was 30 — they genuinely loved one another. On October 10, 1965, the couple exchanged vows at the Chelsea Register Office. In due time, they welcomed their first daughter, Kate Barry.

However, the couple’s relationship started showing signs of strain as they thrived in their professional and social spheres. Jane recalled an incident when she returned home to their residence in Cadogan Square and expressed her discontent about a trip to Rome, after which John revealed that it was time for them to separate.

In 1968, they parted ways. Jane took her daughter Kate, and they lived with Jane’s parents in Cheyne Gardens. As time passed, Jane reflected on her first marriage, and in 2017. She said:

“Had it all worked out with John Barry, I would never have been curious to know what was going on anywhere else. I would have just gone on being his wife, I would have been delighted. But because he went off with someone else, and I was left with Kate, I had to find a job quite fast.”

Jane admitted she felt insecure in her relationship with John and tried hard to fit the famous 1960s “English pretty” look with fashion, miniskirts, and blonde haircuts. She even kept an eye pencil under her pillow to quickly apply makeup at night so that John wouldn’t see her without it.

Everything changed when she left John and met musician Serge Gainsbourg in France during a film audition. Serge’s compliments about her unique features made her feel secure and desired, a stark contrast to her previous marriage, where she felt unwanted.

Jane also reflected on her love life, describing it as a “romantic idea.” She felt a sense of regret, as she may have missed her chance for a lasting relationship due to the limited time they had left in life.

She admitted to almost marrying Serge but hesitated due to his desire for publicity and the blood test requirement. Despite some regrets, she believed Serge was the person she should have married.

At 76, Jane Birkin passed away in Paris, and the cause of her death was not immediately known. French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his condolences on Twitter, describing her as a “French icon.”

Throughout the 1970s, she gained recognition for her performances in artistic and erotic European films. Aside from her successful acting career, Jane was the fashion inspiration and muse behind the luxurious handbags that bear her name.

Jane’s recent death occurred years after the tragic passing of her daughter Kate, a fashion photographer who died in 2013 at 46. Surviving Jane were her two children: Charlotte Gainsbourg, the British-French actress she had with Serge, and Lou Doillon, her child with French filmmaker Jacques Doillon.