Catherine Ringer Dies at 68 After Fast-Acting Cancer

Catherine Ringer, the iconic singer and co-founder of French rock duo Les Rita Mitsouko, has died at the age of 68.

Her children announced her death on Tuesday, saying Ringer died overnight after suffering from a rapidly progressing cancer.

Ringer became one of the most distinctive voices in French music after forming Les Rita Mitsouko with guitarist and longtime partner Fred Chichin in the early 1980s.

The duo developed a unique sound combining rock, pop, funk and electronic music and became one of France’s most recognizable musical acts.

Among their best-known songs were “Marcia Baïla,” “C’est comme ça,” “Andy” and “Les histoires d’amour finissent mal.”

“Marcia Baïla,” released in 1984, became one of the defining French pop songs of the decade and helped propel Les Rita Mitsouko to nationwide fame.

Chichin died from cancer in 2007 at the age of 53. Ringer later continued performing as a solo artist while keeping the music and legacy of Les Rita Mitsouko alive.

During a career spanning more than four decades, Ringer became known for her powerful voice, theatrical performances and highly individual style.

She is survived by her three children.

Tributes are pouring in across France following confirmation of her death, with musicians, fans and public figures remembering one of the most influential and unconventional figures in modern French music.