French actress Nadia Farès has passed away at the age of 57, a week after she was found unresponsive in a swimming pool in Paris. The tragic news was confirmed by her daughters, Cylia and Shana Chasman, who released a heartfelt statement expressing their grief and loss.
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“It is with immense sadness that we announce the passing of Nadia Farès this Friday,” they wrote. “France has lost a great artist, but for us, it is above all a mother we have just lost.” The statement highlights the dual nature of their grief: while the actress was celebrated in the entertainment industry, to her family, she was first and foremost a beloved parent.
Reports indicate that Farès was discovered unconscious at a private gym in Paris on April 11, suffering from cardiac arrest. Following her collapse, she was rushed to Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, where she remained in a coma before her passing on April 17. An investigation has been launched to determine the circumstances surrounding her death, although authorities have not found any evidence of foul play.
Nadia Farès was no stranger to health challenges, having undergone multiple surgeries in recent years. In 2007, she revealed that she had undergone brain surgery for an aneurysm, describing her condition as “a ticking time bomb that needed to be treated urgently.” Furthermore, she had previously experienced three heart surgeries, suggesting that her health had been a precarious matter for some time.
Born in Marrakesh, Morocco, in 1968, Farès was a prominent figure in French cinema, gaining fame in the early 2000s for her role in Mathieu Kassovitz’s thriller, “The Crimson River.” The film, an adaptation of Jean-Christophe Grangé’s novel, catapulted her into the limelight, and she quickly became a sought-after actress in both French and international films. Notable entries in her filmography include the 2007 thriller “Storm Warning” along with numerous other productions.
In a poignant note shared on Instagram on April 18, Cylia paid tribute to her mother, stating that the grief she felt was a “heartbreak I will never get over.” She reminisced about their close relationship and expressed her desire to continue making her mother proud, underlining the intimate bond they shared. “I am so happy that we got even closer than we were before in your last few months,” she wrote, highlighting the comfort and understanding they derived from each other’s company.
Farès was reportedly preparing to take on the dual role of director and screenwriter for an upcoming action-comedy project, scheduled to begin filming in September 2026. This venture would have marked a significant new chapter in her career, illustrating her enduring passion for the arts right until her untimely death.
The wider artistic community has also begun to reflect on Farès’s contributions to cinema, underscoring her impact on both French film and the broader global stage. Tributes have poured in from fans and fellow artists alike, all of whom acknowledge the void her absence has created in the realm of film.
As the investigation into her death continues, many will remember Nadia Farès not just for her impressive body of work but also as a devoted mother. Her career, filled with remarkable performances and memorable roles, will be celebrated, but it is her love and dedication to her family that will resonate deeply with those who knew her best.