Singer and actress Vanessa Paradis and director Samuel Benchetrit are separating by mutual agreement after nearly ten years together, her manager announced in a statement sent to AFP on Thursday, August 6.
The manager stated that Paradis and Benchetrit are ending their marriage while maintaining mutual respect and affection for each other. Both stars are 53 years old.
The low-profile couple made their relationship official in 2017 before marrying in a small ceremony on June 30, 2018, in Saint-Siméon, Seine-et-Marne. Their wedding took place as the French national football team played Argentina in the round of 16 of the World Cup.
Artistic collaborations and stage tour
The couple collaborated on two films and a play during their relationship. After directing Paradis in the 2017 film Chien, Benchetrit wrote custom roles for her in the film Cette musique ne joue pour personne and the play Maman, which marked her stage debut. In 2021, Benchetrit said Paradis remained popular because she loves people. Paradis also appeared alongside Jérôme Commandeur in the cinema film T'as pas changé.
The announcement comes five days after Paradis finished her festival tour in France, which she described on social media as grand while thanking fans from the bottom of her heart and wishing everyone a good summer. Her manager handled the announcement as she prepares to return to the stage on October 6, with a performance scheduled at the Accor Arena in Paris on November 17.
