Born 1928 as Germaine Hélène Irène Lefebvre in Saint-Raphaël, Var, French fashion model and actress Capucine was noticed by a commercial photographer while riding in a carriage in Paris in 1945, at age 17. She became a fashion model, working for the fashion houses Givenchy and Christian Dior.
Capucine as a model in the 1950s
Capucine made her film debut in Jean Cocteau’s The Eagle with Two Heads (1948), in a small, unbilled role. She also appeared in Jacques Becker’s Rendezvous in July (1949) and Robert Dhéry’s Crazy Show (1949). Capucine was known for her comedic roles in The Pink Panther (1963) and What’s New Pussycat? (1965). She appeared in 36 films and 17 television productions between 1948 and 1990.
On 17 March 1990, at age 62, Capucine jumped to her death from her eighth-floor apartment in Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland, where she had lived for 28 years, having reportedly suffered from illness and depression for some time. The police said an investigation left no doubt that she died by suicide. Neighbours said she had led a reclusive life with her three cats, hardly ever leaving her apartment and spending most of her time reading.
Take a look at these gorgeous photos to see portraits of a young Capucine as a model in the 1950s.
Capucine on balcony in Rome, photo by Robert Capa, August 1951
Capucine in floral hat with sheer voilette by Jean Barthet, photo by Willy Maywald, 1951
Capucine in knit sweater by Korrigan-Lesur, photo by Sam Lévin, 1951
Capucine in midnight blue cocktail hat by Suzanne Talbot, photo by Georges Saad, 1951
Capucine poses in the studio as “Marianne” the symbolic figurehead of France, originated during the Revolution, photo by Walter Carone, 1951
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