Marie Laforêt

Laforêt has married five times, first with her colleague, filmmaker, Jean-Gabriel Albicocco, in 1961. Thereafter, was married to businessman, Judas Azuelos, with who she had two children. Of them, her daughter Lisa Azuelos is a French filmmaker and producer.

In 1971, she got married to Alain Kahn-Sriber, an art dealer, with who she had a third child. Subsequently, she was wedded to a man named Pierre Meyer, and later, Eric De Lavandeyra, stockbroker, both marriages being short-lived.

Maïténa Marie Brigitte Douménach was born to Jean Douménach and Marie-Louise Saint Guily, on October 5, 1939, in the Soulac-sur-Mer commune of the Médoc region, France. Jean and Marie were blessed with another younger daughter, Alexandra.

The young girl's father was taken into custody by German officials, when the World War II was being fought, and the rest of the Douménach family had to fend for themselves. The struggles they went through caused the little girl to become psychologically scarred.

Initially the family took refuge at a place known as Cahors, but after 1945, when Jean was released, they settled down in the capital city, Paris. It was here that Marie attended the 'Lycee La Fontaine' to pursue her secondary education, and she also developed an interest for drama and performing arts.

Marie began her singing career when she contested in 1959, instead of her sister at the 'Naissance d'une étoile', a French talent hunt for the radio. She won the contest and was immediately noticed, not just by the music industry, but also by famous French filmmakers.

She adopted the stage last name of Laforêt, and was supposed to debut in 'Liberté', a movie by filmmaker Louis Malle, which was shelved eventually. She was subsequently launched in 1960 in the film, 'Plein Soleil', alongside Alain Delon.

In 1961, she appeared in filmmaker, Jean-Gabriel Albicocco's movie, 'La Fille aux Yeux d'Or' ('The Girl with the Golden Eyes'). The next year, she starred in two more movies, 'Rat Trap' and 'Leviathan', directed by Jean-Gabriel Albicocco and Léonard Keigel, respectively.

In the year 1963, Laforêt produced several hit singles including 'Tu fais semblant – Les vendanges de l'amour', and 'Au coeur de l'automne – L'amour en fleurs/ Qu'est-ce qui fait pleurer les filles – Mais si loin de moi'. She also sang a cover of Bob Dylan's 'Blowin' in the Wind' and an American ballad, 'House of the Rising Sun'.

The following year, this talented artiste acted in the Édouard Molinaro film, 'Male Hunt'. The same year, she released beautiful tracks like 'Viens sur la montagne', 'Les noces de campagne', and 'Après toi qui sait', amongst several others.

Laforêt's most successful production, was her single, 'Il a neigé sur Yesterday', released in 1977. The music was composed by 'Jean-Claude Petit', while the song was written by Michel Jourdan, a regular lyricist for the singer's earlier tracks.