An immense wave of emotion has swept through the world of French cinema since the announcement of Nathalie Baye’s passing. As revealed by Le Parisien on April 18, 2026, the actress passed away the day before, at the age of 77, surrounded by her loved ones, after battling Lewy body disease, a neurodegenerative condition that also affected Catherine Laborde. Concerns had been growing for several months about her health.
Her notable absence in 2025, during the Rose Days of Doué-la-Fontaine, officially attributed to medical reasons, had already raised suspicions. Even earlier, in 2020, a hospitalization due to bronchopulmonary complications had served as an initial warning sign for those around her.
According to information from her family to AFP, her funeral will be held in Paris on Friday, April 26. A ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m. at the Saint-Sulpice church, followed by a burial “in strict intimacy.” Tributes have been pouring in since the announcement of the passing of Laura Smet’s mother, and even Laura Smet and her “second daughter” have spoken out.
Mathilde Seigner pays tribute to Nathalie Baye, whom she considered “like a mother”
In an interview with Paris Match, Mathilde Seigner poured her heart out following the departure of “her mother” from the world of cinema. She reminisced about their close bond and the impactful role Nathalie Baye played in her life, ensuring she stayed healthy during the filming of Venus Beauty Institute in 1999.
Mathilde Seigner also shared her regrets about losing touch with Nathalie Baye over time, particularly recalling an argument they had. She expressed sadness at the missed opportunity to reconnect and the impact of Baye’s illness on their relationship.
Overall, Mathilde Seigner and many others remember Nathalie Baye fondly for her caring nature and intelligence, lamenting the loss of a beloved figure in French cinema.
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