Charlotte Gainsbourg moved to New York from Paris to escape the ghosts of her father and sister, who both died in the French capital.

Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gainsbourged

From the perils of aging to the joys of parenthood—and the undertow of depression—the French singer and actress is now happily looking ahead

Interview by Danny Scott

Charlotte Gainsbourg is the daughter of the French musician Serge Gainsbourg and the British actress Jane Birkin. She was born in London, grew up in Paris, began her movie career at 13 — and is best known as the star of Lars von Trier’s 2013 film Nymphomaniac. She has also released five albums. She lives in Paris with her partner, Yvan Attal, an actor and director, and their three children, Ben, 25, an actor, Alice, 19, a student, and their younger daughter, Jo, 11.

Early mornings are hell for me. I have to be up at 7am but I’m constantly grabbing at one more minute in bed.