In a heartbreaking turn of events, the renowned French singer Jean-Jacques Goldman lost his long and valiant battle against cancer, passing away on Saturday, January 16, at the age of 63. His widow shared this somber news through a heartfelt press release, stating, “Jean-Jacques departed this world at 4:30 p.m. today.” It’s worth noting that, prior to his passing, he was receiving treatment at a hospital in Puteaux, Hauts-de-Seine.
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The Unique Voice of Jean-Jacques Goldman
- Jean-Jacques Goldman possessed a truly distinctive voice that resonated deeply with his audience. Each time he took the stage or spoke, it was an event of great significance. 1
- While fans eagerly await a tribute album, we can’t help but reminisce about the wisdom he shared in a recent interview.
A Two-Decade Hiatus
- Since 2001, we’ve been yearning for his return, as he took a two-decade-long hiatus, splitting his time between London and Marseille.
- This decision left his legion of admirers both delighted and anxious, as he remained an omnipresent figure on French radio even in his absence.
- His enduring popularity was well-deserved, owing to his string of hits, collaborations with icons like Celine Dion, his unwavering commitment to charitable work through Restos du Cœur, and, above all, his unmatched humility and discretion.
The Eager Anticipation
- Every tidbit of news about the singer would spark fervent hope among fans that he might soon grace the stage again.
- The recent announcement of an album featuring orchestral renditions of Goldman’s classics has set hearts racing. This project has finally coaxed the elusive artist out of his silence, if only momentarily.
Jean-Jacques Goldman Sets the Record Straight
- Addressing those who harbored hopes of his return with the release of these albums, Jean-Jacques Goldman firmly quashed their expectations.
- On January 15, 2022, he emphatically declared to the public, “I have no involvement in this project whatsoever.”
- He continued, “The concepts presented on the album covers are the brainchild of their creators. I neither initiated nor participated in the media activities mentioned in this article.
- If a comeback were in the cards, I would unequivocally announce it. My fans can rest assured that their idol will return someday.”
Honoring a Legend
- Although Erick Benzi, a composer close to Jean-Jacques Goldman, is not part of this project, the double album of covers promises to be a magnificent tribute to the singer’s legacy.
- Supported by modern artists like Marina Kaye, Lilian Renaud, and the Berthollet sisters, Erick Benzi aims to breathe new life into Goldman’s timeless songs.
- This musical endeavor, released on January 21, 2022, is aptly titled “The Goldman Legacy.”
Unraveling the Legend
- Beyond his musical prowess, Jean-Jacques Goldman’s life story is nothing short of fascinating.
- Let’s delve deeper into the life of this iconic singer-songwriter, including insights into his two marriages, his six children, and his remarkable family lineage.
- It’s no surprise that, since 2011, Jean-Jacques Goldman has consistently topped the IFOP survey as France’s favorite personality.
The Keys to His Success
- What contributed to Jean-Jacques Goldman’s enduring success? It’s a combination of his unique creative talents and his impeccable media restraint.
- Undoubtedly, he was a gifted singer-songwriter who became a symbol of the French music scene in the 1980s. His signature songs like “When the Music Is Good” and “I Give You” captivated audiences worldwide.
- Beyond his own achievements, he gained recognition for penning classic hits for other luminaries such as Céline Dion and Johnny Hallyday.
Shying Away from the Spotlight
- However, Jean-Jacques Goldman never allowed fame to go to his head. In 2004, he made a bold choice to step away from the limelight, relocating from London to Marseille with his wife and three daughters.
- In 2022, news of his son Michael Goldman’s appointment as the principal of the fictional school Star Academy briefly thrust him back into the spotlight. Here are some of the key highlights of his life.
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A Glimpse into His Personal Life
- Jean-Jacques Goldman was a man of many facets. He hailed from a family of four siblings, with each of them charting unique paths in life.
- His older sister Evelyne became a doctor, his half-brother Pierre an activist, and his younger brother Robert adopted the pseudonym J. Kapler, becoming a lyricist.
- Robert’s life took a tragic turn with a criminal past, serving a life sentence for robbery before being exonerated in 1976, only to meet an untimely end in 1979.
The Goldman Family’s Journey
- In 2016, Jean-Jacques Goldman, along with his wife Nathalie Thu Huong-Lagier and their three daughters – Maya, Kimi, and Rose – relocated from France to a tranquil London suburb, where they resided for two years.
- Prior to this, they had lived in the trendy Roucas-Blanc district in Bouches-du-Rhône, known as Plan-de-Cuques. The couple’s three musically gifted children currently attend a French school in London.
A Love Story Rewritten
- Born in Marseille, France, in 1979, Nathalie Thu Huong-Lagier, a French-Vietnamese mathematics professor, captured Jean-Jacques Goldman’s heart.
- Their love story saw them married twice. In June 2007, Nathalie successfully defended her thesis on functions on a symmetric reductive space P-Adic, solidifying her passion for mathematics and algorithms.
A Remarkable Encounter
- Nathalie Thu Huong-Lager, then just 16 years old, attended one of Jean-Jacques Goldman’s concerts in 1995. She mustered the courage to knock on his dressing room door to convey her admiration.
- Despite the singer’s existing marriage to Catherine Morlet, a deep connection blossomed through email exchanges. This led to the eventual move-in of the “I Give You a Divorce” translator with his new love in Marseille.
- They have been happily married since 2001, blessed with three beautiful daughters: Maya, Kim, and Rose.
A Glimpse into the Past
- Jean-Jacques Goldman’s history with Catherine Morlet, his ex-wife, dates back to their childhood. In the early 1970s, the couple embarked on a memorable road trip across Europe in a Citroën 2CV, laying the foundation for their enduring love story.
- In 1975, at the age of 24, they exchanged vows. At the time, Jean-Jacques balanced his budding music career with helping manage the family sports store in Montrouge, Hauts-de-Seine, while Catherine pursued a career in psychology.
- Together, they had three children: Caroline, Michael, and Nina.
A Second Chance at Family
- After 22 years of marriage, the couple parted ways in 1997, primarily due to the pressures of Jean-Jacques Goldman’s skyrocketing fame.
- He was determined not to repeat the same mistakes when he married Nathalie Thu Huong-Lager in 2001.
- As music journalist Jean-Pierre Pasqualini noted in 2015, Jean-Jacques Goldman prioritized his family over his career, aiming to strike a better balance.
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The Family Man
- Jean-Jacques Goldman, a proud father, has six children.
- His first three are with Catherine Morlet. Caroline, their firstborn, ventured into child and adolescent psychology, publishing several books and launching a podcast focused on teaching and learning in March 2022.
- Michael, born in 1979, has made headlines with his appointment as the new director of Star Academy and his new career as a music producer.
- Their third child, Nina, chose to step away from the public eye and became a pediatrician.
A Growing Family
With Nathalie Thu Huong-Lager, Jean-Jacques Goldman welcomed three more daughters into his life. Maya was born in 2004, Kim in 2005, and Rose in 2007. These three teenagers continue to shape their own unique paths in life.
A Farewell to the Stage
- In 2001, Jean-Jacques Goldman released his final studio album, marking the end of an era. In 2002, he embarked on a farewell tour with his band, aptly named “Un tour ensemble.”
- His last concert took place in 2004 at the Francofolies festival in La Rochelle, where he bid adieu to his adoring fans.
- Despite periodic speculations, he affirmed in January 2011 that he had no intentions of returning to the solo stage or releasing a new album.
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Jean-Jacques Goldman Biography Controversy: Singer Denies Authorization for Recent Books
- In a surprising turn of events, the renowned French singer-songwriter, Jean-Jacques Goldman, has vehemently disavowed any association with the recently published books and biographies that claim to depict his life story. 2
- Goldman, known for his reclusive nature, took to social media to issue a resounding denial regarding the unauthorized literature being circulated in his name.
Unsanctioned Biographies Raise Eyebrows
- The singer, often referred to as “the French’s favorite personality,” took the music world by storm when he released a public statement categorically disavowing any connection to the books that have surfaced recently.
- He made it abundantly clear that he had not provided authorization for any book or biography to be penned about his life.
Setting the Record Straight
- Goldman went further to emphasize his lack of power to prevent the publication of these books, even when some authors falsely claim his consent.
- Notably, one such author, Jean Bender, is poised to release a second volume of a biography titled “Il suffira d’un sign” in 2024.
- Despite the author’s assertion that the singer was involved in the project, Goldman has emphatically denied any involvement and expressed his frustration at the alleged legitimacy being claimed.
📣 L’hebdomadaire belge Moustique propose un dossier sur Jean-Jacques Goldman et a publié en ligne quelques archives d’anciennes interviews.
📷 Plus d’infos : https://t.co/lt4j2EZ2ck
🔥 #goldman #jjg #jjgoldman #jeanjacquesgoldman pic.twitter.com/3ngMLToBQ7— Jean-Jacques Goldman – Là-bas (@jjgoldman_net) August 24, 2023
Recent Controversy Surrounding Biographies
- This controversy isn’t isolated to Jean Bender’s work. A few weeks prior, Jean-Jacques Goldman voiced his disappointment in the biography-essay written by historian Ivan Jablonka and published by Seuil.
- He clarified that he had never met the author nor any of his friends, expressing his sadness for those who have unwittingly purchased books that inaccurately portray his life.
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