Born on August 15: Sylvie Vartan, the yé-yé legend, leaves the stage

She was born in Isketz (Bulgaria) in 1944 to an Armenian father and began her career in her native country as a young actress at the age of 7.

Now in her eighties, Sylvie Vartan recently chose to end her stage career with six Parisian concerts between November 2024 and January 2025. With these inevitably moving farewells, she thus closes a sixty-three-year career. She notably chose the Palais des Congrès, a venue which, like the Olympia, brings back many memories. Several thematic tableaux evoked her passions of course (like dance) but also important milestones in her career (Johnny Hallyday, Las Vegas). Not to mention the Beatles who, in 1964, opened her show at the Olympia. At the time in France, the opening acts were called "American stars", from Liverpool this time! She obviously performed most of her greatest hits like "La plus belle pour aller danser", "Comme un garçon", "La Maritza" and "Nicolas". David Hallyday, her son with Jean-Philippe Smet, aka Johnny, even took the stage with her to perform "Quelque chose de Tennessee" and "L'idole des jeunes." A very touching moment, of course...

Dressed by designer Stéphane Rolland, Sylvie Vartan spent nearly 3.5 hours on stage, a feat that even Bruce Springsteen—a marathon performer if ever there was one—only rarely achieves anymore. Hats off to you, Ms. Vartan!

(MH with Stéphane Soupart - Photo : © Etienne Tordoir)

Photo: Sylvie Vartan with Philippe Luthers (right) on the set of a TV show in Liège (Belgium) in 1986