A LIFE OUT OF THE ORDINARY WAS THAT OF THE LEGENDARY FRENCH ACTOR AND SINGER WHO PASSED AWAY AGED 93
Text by Diletta Accorroni
“Her life was out of the ordinary”: this is how it ends, with a rare accuracy and depth, the announcement of the Gréco family, that yesterday had to tell the whole world about the departure of Juliette, aged 93. Juliette hasn’t just been the Muse of existentialism and the Icon of an unrepeatable season – for its social and cultural fervor – which lasts for at least three decades (from 1940 to 1960). Actually, one could even build a history of the last century listing her elective affinities. I’m talking about all those companions, friends and lovers who are the giants from the last century: Miles Davis, Jean Paul Sartre, Jacques Prévert, Serge Gainsbourg, Boris Vian, Jean Cocteau, Marguerite Duras, Simone de Beauvoir, Jacques Brel, Charles Aznavour.
What has always impressed about Juliette Gréco is that she remained eternally true to herself, as if time goes by only for the ordinary people, to whom she obviously did not belong. We will never forget her impeccable, icy and gloomy style, nor eternal black outfits which, by contrast, exalted her bright pallor. And again, the hoarse sound of her dark voice, which goes straight to the heart. Another piece of Beauty, Grace and Strength has just left us.
