Emmanuelle Riva 1927 – 2017

Biography

Emmanuelle Riva was born on February 24, 1927, in the small village of Cheniménil, beginning a life that would span nearly nine decades. She grew to become a French actress whose work touched audiences throughout her long career in the arts.

Riva’s dedication to her craft sustained her through a lifetime in the theater and cinema. She built a legacy as a performer, bringing depth and authenticity to her roles across multiple decades. Her presence in French cultural life reflected both her talent and her enduring passion for the dramatic arts.

On January 27, 2017, Riva passed away in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, succumbing to cancer at the age of 89. She left behind a body of work and the memory of a woman who had committed herself fully to her profession. Her final resting place is the Cimetière de Charonne in Paris’s 20th arrondissement, where she remains among the notable figures of French artistic heritage.