Émilie Dequenne, the talented Belgian actress renowned for her remarkable performance in the film “Rosetta,” has passed away at the age of 43. Her death occurred on Sunday at the Gustave Roussy hospital in Villejuif, France, following a battle with adrenocortical carcinoma, a rare and aggressive adrenal cancer. The news was confirmed by Marie-Laure Calmette, an assistant to her long-time agent, Danielle Gain.
Dequenne first captured international attention when she won the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival at just 17 years old for her role in the Dardenne brothers' film “Rosetta.” The film, which portrayed the struggle of a working-class teenager to find and keep a job, earned the Palme d’Or, Cannes' top honor. Following her breakout role, she starred in a wide array of films such as “The Brotherhood of the Wolf,” “The Bridge of San Luis Rey,” and “This Is Our Land.”
In October 2023, Dequenne disclosed her diagnosis of adrenocortical carcinoma and later discussed her journey in the media, sharing her experiences with loneliness and the importance of honesty about her health struggles. Throughout her prolific career, which included nearly 50 films and numerous awards—such as a César for Best Supporting Actress in “Love Affair(s)”—she left a lasting impact.
Dequenne, who was born in Beloeil, Belgium, on August 29, 1981, honed her craft at the Académie de Musique et des Arts de la Parole de Baudour and began her acting career in a local company. She is survived by her husband Michel Ferracci and a daughter, Milla Savarese, from her previous relationship with DJ Alexandre Savarese. Just last May, she celebrated the 25th anniversary of “Rosetta” at the Cannes Film Festival and promoted her film “Survive,” released in the prior year. Her final project was in the film “TKT,” centered around the themes of bullying within a Belgian high school environment.
