Hardy was also celebrated as a fashion muse. Her androgynous looks and understated elegance made her a favourite of the fashion world, with a tall, slender frame, angular features, and long, straight hair.

This aesthetic aligned with the modern fashion of the 1960s, emphasising simplicity and a certain boyish charm. She often wore designs from André Courrèges, Paco Rabanne, and Yves Saint Laurent, in styles that defined the era. Her influence in fashion extended over decades.

Hardy’s relationship with fellow musician Jacques Dutronc was a significant part of her life and work. They met in the mid-1960s and had a son, Thomas, in 1973. Although their relationship faced challenges, including Dutronc’s infidelities and their eventual separation, it deeply influenced her music.

Their lives — residing on separate floors of the same Parisian building — mirrored their bittersweet partnership, which was reflected in Hardy’s songs.

She also had a keen interest in astrology, authoring several books on the subject and hosting radio shows. Her lyrics and public persona often reflected her introspective nature and fascination with the celestial.

Hardy’s battle with cancer was long. She endured numerous treatments, including radiotherapy, which left her deaf in one ear. Despite her health struggles, she continued to produce music, with her final album, “Personne d’autre,” released in 2018.

This album, marked by its contemplative themes and collaboration with the Finnish indie band Poets of the Fall, confronted issues of mortality.

Tributes have poured in from across the globe. French Culture Minister Rima Abdul Malak hailed her as “an eternal legend of French songs,” while fellow musicians like Carla Bruni, Michel Polnareff, and Étienne Daho expressed their deep sorrow and admiration.

International artists, including Blur’s Graham Coxon and Public Enemy’s Chuck D, also paid their homage.

Reflecting on her lifelong love for melodies, Hardy once said, “All my life, I’ve been on the lookout for beautiful melodies. Listening to them puts me in seventh heaven.”

AP

Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on what’s making headlines around the world. Sign up for the weekly What in the World newsletter here.