Belgian actress Emilie Dequenne passes away at 43 after battle with rare cancer

Belgian actress Emilie Dequenne has passed away at the age of 43. Her family and her agent shared the sad news that she died in a hospital near Paris on Sunday. Emilie had been fighting a rare type of cancer for some time, which she revealed publicly in 2023.
According to AFP, Emilie Dequenne was diagnosed with adrenocortical carcinoma. This is a rare and aggressive form of cancer that affects the adrenal glands, which are located on top of the kidneys. She had shared her health condition with the public in October 2023, and since then, she had stepped away from acting to focus on her treatment.
Emilie Dequenne became famous at a very young age. She got her big break in 1999 when she starred in Rosetta, a film by the Dardenne brothers. Her performance in Rosetta was highly praised, and she won the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival. The film itself also won the festival’s highest honor, the Palme d’Or (Golden Palm). That role launched her successful career in both Belgian and French cinema.
Throughout her career, Emilie starred in many well-received films. Some of her notable movies include The Girl on the Train, released in 2009, and Our Children, a drama from 2012. These films earned her even more recognition and awards. She was known for her powerful and emotional performances, which touched audiences around the world.
In 2024, Emilie returned to the Cannes Film Festival to celebrate the 25th anniversary of her award-winning role in Rosetta. She also attended to promote her last film, Survive, an English-language disaster movie that was released the same year. Sadly, after this project, her illness forced her to stop working.
Emilie Dequenne’s death is a great loss to the film industry. Fans and colleagues remember her not only for her talent but also for her courage and strength during her illness. As reported by AFP, her family confirmed that she passed away peacefully.
Her contributions to cinema will be remembered, and she will be greatly missed by many.