French singer Catherine Ranjean, one of the founders of the famous rock band "Rita Mitsouko," passed away at the age of 68 after battling cancer, her family announced on Tuesday.
The family stated in a statement obtained by the "News Video Agency" on Tuesday that Ranjean died on the night of September 14, 2026, expressing "deep sorrow and grief" at her passing.
In the early 1980s, Ranjean, along with her partner, guitarist Fred Chichin, formed the band "Rita Mitsouko," which became one of the most prominent French rock bands.
The band achieved widespread fame with songs including "Andy," "C'est Comme Ça," and "Les Histoires d'Amour Finissent Mal," in addition to "Marcia Baïla," inspired by Argentine dancer Marcia Moretto.
Ranjean's family stated that the artist "left her mark on generations" through her voice, songs, freedom, and distinctive artistic style.
Ranjean was born on October 18, 1957, in the suburbs of Paris, to a painter father and an architect mother, and she left school at the age of fifteen before embarking on various artistic endeavors.
In 1979, she met Fred Chichin, who became her partner in life and music, before they together established "Rita Mitsouko."
After Chichin's death in 2007 at the age of 53 due to cancer, Ranjean distanced herself from the stage for a while before gradually returning to artistic activities and continuing to present works related to the band's legacy.