Serge Gainsbourg 1928 – 1991

Biography

Serge Gainsbourg was born on April 2, 1928, in the 4th arrondissement of Paris, entering a world that would come to know him as one of France’s most distinctive creative voices. Throughout his life, he cultivated a remarkable career spanning music, literature, film, and visual arts. As a singer, songwriter, and composer, he crafted works that resonated across generations, while his talents as a writer, actor, and director demonstrated the breadth of his artistic vision and intellectual curiosity.

On March 2, 1991, Gainsbourg passed away in the 7th arrondissement of Paris, succumbing to a myocardial infarction. His death marked the end of an era for French culture, but his legacy endured through the body of work he left behind. He was laid to rest at Montparnasse Cemetery in the 14th arrondissement, joining other notable figures in this storied Parisian burial ground.

The span of Gainsbourg’s life—from his birth in one Paris neighborhood to his final resting place in another—reflected a life fully lived within the cultural heart of France. His contributions to music, theater, literature, and film continue to influence and inspire those who encounter his work, ensuring that his artistic spirit remains vibrant long after his passing.