It is through a press release sent to AFP that the relatives of Nathalie Baye announced the death of the 77-year-old French actress on Saturday, April 18, 2026. Ill and in poor health since 2025, the actress passed away “Friday evening at her Parisian home from Lewy body disease,” as indicated by her family, including her daughter Laura Smet, in the press release.
Born from her relationship with Johnny Hallyday in 1983, David Hallyday’s half-sister maintained a unique relationship with her mother over the years. The two women regularly posed together on the red carpets and starred together in the TV series “Call My Agent” and in the film “The Guardians” by Xavier Beauvois, released in 2017.
In an interview with “Télé 7 Jours” in 2015, Nathalie Baye shared some insights into her relationship with Laura Smet. “We are very close. I have a warm and quite complicit relationship with her. However, I have never acted like a mother who is a friend,” she explained.
On the other hand, Laura Smet mentioned this strict upbringing in an interview with “Gala” in January 2026, revealing that her mother would always “prepare her outfit for the next day for school. A conservative outfit, of course, Benetton style.” This led to rebellious feelings in Laura, who confessed, “I was 14 and had other desires. So, I often put different clothes in my bag, a plaid skirt, and high white socks, and changed in the elevator.” This deception was eventually discovered by her mother. “I was scolded! At home, it was strict, as they say, almost old-fashioned.”
Context: Nathalie Baye was a renowned French actress known for her contributions to French cinema. Laura Smet is her daughter from her relationship with French musician Johnny Hallyday.
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