Vanessa Paradis: everything you need to know about the sensual French artist

She sang 'Be My Baby,' written by her boyfriend Lenny Kravitz; she was the face of Coco by Chanel; and she had a long-lasting relationship and two children with Johnny Depp.

Vanessa Paradis is an irresistible French star who's been in the spotlight from a young age. This is her story.

Vanessa Paradis' first television appearance dates back to 1981. At the age of eight, she appeared in the French program 'L'école des fans,' where children sang songs of their idols. It was the beginning of a long and successful career!

Born on December 22, 1972, Vanessa Paradis grew up in Villiers-sur-Marne, in the east of Paris. Her father André Paradis, who died in 2017, was an artist-turned-entrepreneur. He sold decorations and sculptures for the future Disneyland Paris site.

Vanessa Paradis is also the niece of actor and producer Didier Pain (right in the photo). Early on, he believed in the artistic potential of his niece, and he managed her career when she was young.

Vanessa Paradis is the elder sister of Alysson Paradis, who is also an actress. Alysson was only three when her sister suddenly became famous and has no memories of that time. Yet, as she grew up, she increasingly sensed Vanessa's stardom.

In 1987, Vanessa Paradis performed the song 'Joe le taxi' which held a top position in the French pop charts for eleven weeks. Other French-speaking countries, such as Belgium, Switzerland, and Canada, also contributed to the three-million-copy sales of her album at the time.

Vanessa Paradis was only a teenager when she reached stardom. At the age of fifteen, she started dating the singer Florent Pagny, who was eleven years her senior. The relationship was controversial because of the age difference. In 1991, the couple separated.

Vanessa Paradis released her first album, 'M&J', in 1988. Public pressure quickly forced her to stop studying and devote herself completely to music. She became the French female artist of the year in 1990, at only seventeen!

The French music legend Serge Gainsbourg then wrote an entire album for Vanessa Paradis: 'Variations on the same theme / I love you' ('Variations Sur le même t'aime'). It became a big success.

At the same time, she made her film debut in 'Noce Blanche', the story of a marginalized teenager who gets into a passionate affair with her philosophy professor. Vanessa Paradis won the Romy-Schneider Award and the Cesar Award for Best Breakthrough Actress.

In 1991, Vanessa Paradis became the ambassador of Chanel's 'Coco' perfume. The brand wanted to rejuvenate its image and made a commercial featuring the young singer as a bird in a cage, playing with a bottle of perfume while moving on the trapeze.

Paradis continued to represent Chanel for thirty years. She also modeled for other famous brands. A striking feature of her face is the gap between her front teeth.

As a model, Vanessa Paradis was competing for a Calvin Klein ad campaign with other models, including Kate Moss. In the end, the French beauty gave way to Moss (pictured here with Johnny Depp), and Moss's career took off thanks to this commercial.

Her third album, titled 'Vanessa Paradis' and released in 1992, was written in English by her lover Lenny Kravitz. Distributed all over the world, the album reached the top spot in France and bombarded Vanessa Paradis into stardom in English-speaking countries as well.

The French singer and Lenny Kravitz were together until 1996. Their tumultuous relationship got a lot of interest from the paparazzi and made headlines on both sides of the Atlantic.

Vanessa Paradis continued to alternate her film career with music: she starred alongside Gérard Depardieu in the French movie 'Élisa' (1994).

She also made headlines for little gaffes like this one: In 1991, the young actress was in charge of revealing the winner of best breakthrough actress at the prestigious Cesar awards. By accident, she read the name of Judith Godrèche (one of the nominees) instead of the real winner, Judith Henry. It took Godrèche several years to forgive Vanessa Paradis for the awkward situation...

In 1995, Vanessa Paradis performed the song 'Le Tourbillon de la Vie' at the opening ceremony of the Cannes Film Festival. Jury president Jeanne Moreau spontaneously joined her in singing. The bond between the two stars was the news of the event.

Vanessa Paradis' longest (and most publicized) romance was with Johnny Depp. It started in 1998 and would last for fourteen years.

The couple had a daughter, Lily-Rose (photo), in 1999, and a son, Jack John Christopher III, in 2002.

The two never married, but they shared their lives between France and the United States for many years.

The relationship was discreet and apparently harmonious, prioritizing their family life and the tranquillity of their homes over the glare of the spotlight.

Vanessa Paradis and Johnny Depp eventually separated in 2012, after fourteen years together. The couple was discreet about their separation, which took place without public fights. They have always remained friends.

Over the course of the 90s, Vanessa Paradis performed less and devoted herself more to her family. In 2000, she launched her fourth album, 'Bliss.'

Vanessa Paradis' fifth album, 'Divinidylle', was released in 2007. The artist triumphed in record sales and in concerts, earning the female artist of the year award at the French Victoires de la Musique for the second time in 2008.

In 2009 she released her 'Best Of', a compilation of her hits that also included unreleased songs and duets. 'The Heartbreaker' ('L'Arnacœur') with Romain Duris.

Vanessa Paradis took advantage of her newfound success to venture into Hollywood as well. In 2014 she appeared in two films, one directed by John Turturro: 'Fading Gigolo' (also starring Woody Allen and Sharon Stone), and then in the short film 'Rio, I Love You' ('Rio, Eu te amo').

In the meantime, she released her album 'Love Songs', earning her another award at the Victoires de la Musique in 2014. The album was produced by Benjamin Biolay, next to her in the picture.

The singer and Benjamin Biolay had a love affair for a few years. Biolay seduced Vanessa Paradis after she broke things off with Johnny Depp. The couple showed a strong bond, both sentimentally and artistically. The couple did end up separating in 2015, however...

Vanessa Paradis quickly found another partner in director Samuel Benchetrit. They married in 2018, in a quiet ceremony while the press was focused on the football World Cup match between France and Argentina.

Meanwhile, the eldest daughter of Vanessa Paradis, Lily-Rose, is following in her footsteps. She became the face of Chanel in 2016, and her acting career between France and the United States is also well underway.

In 2019, Vanessa Paradis participated in the album 'Les Étoiles vagabondes' by rapper Nekfeu, singing with him a duet entitled 'Dans l'ivers'.

When Johnny Depp was involved in his notorious trial against Amber Heard, Vanessa Paradis testified on his behalf.

The singer assured that Johnny Depp had always been a "kind, caring, generous and non-violent father."

At several film festivals in 2022, Vanessa Paradis appeared radiant and more elegant than ever alongside her husband Samuel Benchritrit.

Although she is nearing the age of fifty, the French star has not stopped surprising us with her beauty and talent.