Tribute to Émilie Dequenne: Celebrated Belgian Actress Dies at 43

Émilie Dequenne, renowned for her outstanding performance in the Dardenne brothers’ Palme d’Or-winning film Rosetta, has sadly passed away at the age of 43. Her family and agent revealed that she succumbed to adrenocortical carcinoma, a rare and aggressive form of adrenal gland cancer, while hospitalized near Paris.

A Glimpse Into Her Early Life and Career

Born on August 29, 1981, in Belgium, Émilie displayed a passion for acting from a young age, starting her drama studies at merely 12 years old. Rapidly honing her craft, she trained at the Music & Spoken Word Academy in Baudour and later became part of the La Relève Theater troupe. At just 17, her breakthrough came when she was cast in Rosetta, where she portrayed a working-class teen enduring the harsh realities of poverty. Her captivating role earned her the prestigious Cannes Film Festival Best Actress award in 1999, a recognition she shared with Séverine Caneele for the film Humanité, and marked the beginning of her illustrious career in European cinema.

A Stellar Career with Noteworthy Achievements

Dequenne’s enduring presence in French and Belgian cinema spanned over two decades, with an impressive repertoire of more than 60 film credits. Some standout projects include:

• The Brotherhood of the Wolf (2001) directed by Christophe Gans, an action horror thriller that captivated audiences.
• Our Children (2012), a poignant psychological drama by Joachim Lafosse, which earned her the Best Actress award in Cannes’ Un Certain Regard section.
• This Is Our Land (2018) by Lucas Belvaux, where she received a Belgian Magritte for Best Actress, playing a small-town nurse drawn into politics by a far-right party.
• The Things We Say, The Things We Do (2020), a couple’s drama by Emmanuel Mouret, showcasing her César-winning performance as a supporting actress.
• Close (2022), a critically acclaimed Oscar-nominated Belgian drama directed by Lukas Dhont.

International Ventures and Recent Projects

In addition to her European films, Émilie also took on roles in English-language productions, including The Bridge of San Luis Rey (2004) alongside Gabriel Byrne and Robert De Niro, and the upcoming disaster thriller Survive (2024) directed by Frédéric Jardin. Her last performance was in the 2024 Belgian film TKT, where she portrayed the mother of a young bullying victim who tragically falls into a coma.

Remembering Émilie Dequenne

Émilie leaves behind her husband, actor Michel Ferracci, and her 23-year-old daughter, Milla. She was previously married to Belgian DJ Alexandre Savarese from 1999 to 2005, and her legacy in the film industry will undoubtedly be cherished by fans and colleagues alike.

For more details on Émilie Dequenne’s life and contributions to cinema, visit the Hollywood Reporter.