«It is with immense sadness that we announce the passing of Nadia Fares. France has lost a great artistbut for us, above all, we just lost our mother,» they said. Cylia and Shana Chasmanthe actress’s daughters, through a press release on Friday night.
The tragic death of Farès and the striking circumstances cause shock internationally. The Moroccan actress, nationalized French, had achieved fame in the 2000s, in France, with the film The purple rivers, that opened the doors of the foreign market.
Was found unconscious in the pool of a private club in Paris on Sunday, April 12, and was rushed to the Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital. He remained in a coma since then and after five days in intensive care, he died on April 17.
A police investigation was opened to clarify what happened, but at the moment no violation is suspected. Her daughters, the result of her long marriage with the North American producer Steven Chasman -with whom she had been married since 2002 and separated in 2022-, they asked for respect and discretion during the duel.
«No past, no after… Just this. And in some way, it is enough,» he had expressed in one of his last Instagram posts along with a photo of a beautiful sunset.
Those close to her told the AFP news agency that the actress had fainted while swimming, due to a cardiac incident.
The brain surgery he underwent 20 years ago and the three heart operations
In an interview with the French magazine Gala The actress revealed that she underwent brain surgery in 2007 due to an aneurysm. «It was not exactly small, but a ticking bomb that had to be treated with the utmost urgency,» he revealed.
«In four years I underwent three heart operations,» she commented on the health conditions she suffered that forced her to slow down her schedule at the golden moment of her career.
Since then, he had adopted a less hectic life. He had said that swimming was his therapy and that he went to the pool four times a week.
«Of course as an actress I would like to work more, but I consider myself extremely privileged in many aspects, so I have no right to complain,» she confessed last January.
After living in the United States with her ex-husband, she returned to Paris in 2022 and focused on resuming her personal projects. He also reactivated many of his friendships and his posts revolved around his meetings with friends.
On social media, many expressed their sadness. «Goodbye, my friend, to your smile, your talent, kindness and beauty,» Jean Dujardin said on Instagram.
«Nadia. My beauty. How sad. What injustice,» wrote Josiane Balasko. «Your smile, your vital force, your beauty, your positive energy, your kindness and your generosity are going to be greatly missed. It is not believable, how sad and how horrible,» commented Elsa Zylberstein.
His legacy in French cinema
Born on December 20, 1968 in Marrakech, Morocco, she grew up in Nice before moving to Paris to begin her artistic career. She got her first television projects in the 90’s and became famous for her role in They never forget (They never forget it).
He made his film debut in 1992, in My Wif’s Girlfriends, establishing his presence in French cinema. His career path changed dramatically with his most groundbreaking role in the crime thriller Purple Rivers (The Crimson Rivers) in 2000, which solidified her reputation as a versatile performer.
He demonstrated his talent in multiple genres, in action comedy Wasabi alongside Jean Reno in 2001, and later expanding to productions of Hollywood in the action thriller War (2007), where she portrayed Jade Agent Kinler, and the horror film Storm Warning (2007) with her character, Pía.
Beyond his acting achievements, he also explored his musical talents as composera more unknown facet of his artistic portfolio.
He acted for renowned directors such as Alexandre Arcady, Claude Lelouch and Bernie Bonvoisin. Her career positioned her as one of the prominent Moroccan-French actresses who helped pave the way for greater representation in European cinema.
In 2016, Fares starred in the series Marseille of Netflix in the role of Vanessa d’Abrantes. She planned to shoot her first feature film as a writer and director in September 2026.
With information from the AFP agency.
