Published on April 23, 2026 at 2:37 PM
A week after the disappearance of Nathalie Baye, her daughter Laura Smet is organizing a moving ceremony in Paris. Guests will have to follow a surprising instruction to pay a dignified and respectful tribute to the ex-wife of Johnny Hallyday. Just like Nadia Farès this Friday, April 24, the Saint-Sulpice church will welcome family and friends in a solemn atmosphere. However, access will be strictly controlled thanks to a symbolic password required at the entrance.
An intimate ceremony marked by a symbolic instruction
This Friday, April 24, the funeral of Nathalie Baye will take place in Paris, a week after her death at the age of 77. The ceremony will be held at the Saint-Sulpice church from 10 a.m., before a burial planned “in strict privacy,” according to the family. Many relatives and personalities are expected for this final tribute. However, access to the building will not be free. In fact, guests will have to follow a very specific instruction to enter. According to Paris Match, everyone will have to give a password. This measure aims to preserve the dignity of the event while adding a personal and symbolic dimension to this farewell.
More precisely, this password was not chosen at random. “Hint: you will have to mention the name of an animal that held a special place in her heart on the stage at the César award ceremony,” our colleagues indicate. This nod reflects Nathalie Baye’s deep commitment to animal welfare. The actress often mentioned this attachment with sincerity. “I have always adored animals, there were always some at home with my parents,” she confided. Thus, this instruction allows each guest to connect to an essential facet of her personality. It also adds an additional meaning to the ceremony, by recalling her beliefs and the causes she championed throughout her life.
Strong support around her loved ones and causes
To accompany Nathalie Baye on this final journey, many personalities are expected to be present. Her daughter, Laura Smet, has taken charge of organizing the funeral with the help of her godfather, Dominique Besnehard. Despite the ordeal, she shows courage and determination. “I saw her all day because we are organizing the funeral, she is very brave,” the latter confided. She can also rely on the support of her brother, David Hallyday. Moreover, several figures from the cinema and media are expected to attend, such as Richard Berry, Nicole Garcia, Michel Drucker, and Mathilde Seigner, whom the actress considered her “second daughter.” Beyond the ceremony, this tribute also highlights Nathalie Baye’s commitments. Very involved in animal rights, she had notably supported PETA France against animal abandonment. The association paid tribute to her memory with emotion: “Lover of animals and deeply sensitive to their plight, Nathalie Baye had chosen to support them.” She also invested in the protection of great apes, stating: “I talk about it, I try to gather some goodwill.” Until her last days, animals held an essential place in her life, as evidenced by the prominent presence of her cats beside her.
