Nathalie Baye, who passed away at 77: this neurodegenerative disease she had been suffering from for several years

The world of cinema is in mourning. Nathalie Baye, a prominent figure on the big screen, has passed away from a neurodegenerative illness, her family announced on Saturday, April 18, 2026, via AFP. The actress died at the age of 77 “Friday night at her Parisian home from the Lewy body disease,” according to a joint statement from her family.

Nathalie Baye left her mark on several generations of film enthusiasts. She worked with some of the biggest names in cinema, from François Truffaut to Jean-Luc Godard, Claude Chabrol, Bertrand Blier, and Xavier Dolan. Beyond her filmography, she was also known to the public for her past relationship with Johnny Hallyday, with whom she had a daughter, Laura Smet.

Nathalie Baye was suffering from a little-known disease. She had the Lewy body disease, a neurodegenerative condition still unfamiliar in France. It presents with cognitive, motor, and behavioral issues, which can progressively evolve. It lies halfway between Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, making its diagnosis sometimes complex. The disease affects the brain by causing an abnormal accumulation of deposits called “Lewy bodies,” which disrupt neuron function.

Generally, individuals with this disease experience “difficulties in visual and spatial perception. Attention disorders, very common at the beginning of the disease, can be confused with memory problems. They may also struggle to perform multiple tasks simultaneously and reason logically,” detailed France Alzheimer.

There is currently no cure for this disease. However, there are some treatments available to alleviate the symptoms. “For cognitive symptoms, medications used to treat Alzheimer’s disease sometimes work well,” says France Alzheimer. “For motor symptoms, treatments used for Parkinson’s disease, such as Dopa, improve walking or transfers,” she adds.

(Author’s note: The article reports on the passing of actress Nathalie Baye from the Lewy body disease, detailing her career in cinema and the complexities of the disease she was suffering from. It also mentions the lack of a cure for the disease but highlights some treatment options for symptom relief.)