Two Lugubrious Anniversaries In Double Digits

20 YEARS AGO, SONGSTRESS AND CONSUMMATE DIVA DALIDA TOOK HER LIFE.
25 YEARS AGO, RACE CAR DRIVER AND CONSUMMATE COMPETITOR
GILLES VILLENEUVE KILLED HIMSELF DOING WHAT HE LOVED BEST...




Dalida was born January the 17th, 1933 in Cairo, Egypt, as Yolanda Christina Gigliotti. She was to die, hence, a May 3rd, in 1987 - far away from home, in Paris, disillusioned with life itself. She had tried to commit suicide 20 years earlier. What she didn't succeed in doing in 1967 at age 34, she finally accomplished at age 54. Twice before her attempts, a lover's suicide had crushed her; in 1967 and in 1983 as well. The suicide of her ex-husband and mentor Lucien Morisse had also affected her deeply - for she knew that she had driven him to that by leaving him for the painter Jean Sobieski (yes, actress Leelee Sobieski's father). Her family had dissolved with time as well... Losing so many loved ones, in so many ways, brought her to the edge.

Dalida died as a result of an overdose of sleeping pills leaving a suicide note that said: "Life has become unbearable ... forgive me."

Dalida is buried in the Cimetière de Montmartre, Paris, and a life-size statue of the singer stands outside her tomb.

In 1997, the corner of the rues Girardon and Abreuvoir in the Butte Montmartre in Paris was inaugurated as "Place Dalida" and a life-size bust to her memory was erected at that location. In 2001, the French government honored her memory with a postage stamp.

Of note, also, her first career -as an actress- never really took off... Perhaps because her first film was with countryman Omar Sharif...? Her music career was confined to Europe, the Middle-East and even Japan. The USA always frowned upon her obvious talent. Also, the 1983 lover was apparently an immortal; so take it a grain of salt when it is reputed that he "killed himself"... She was living with the flamboyant and less than reputable Richard Chanfray (referred to as the Comte de St Germain) when he committed suicide in July 1983.




Décès de Gilles Villeneuve

Joanne Villeneuve se confie

Il y a 25 ans, Gilles Villeneuve faisait son tour de piste fatal à Zolder en Belgique. Depuis, il est resté gravé dans la mémoire des gens.

La femme de Gilles Villeneuve, qui vit maintenant à Montréal, s'est confiée à notre collègue Paul Larocque. (The interview is no longer available though on the site of origin)

Joanne Villeneuve décrit la peine d'avoir perdu un mari. Une tragédie qui a changé sa vie.