French President Emmanuel Macron has paid tribute to legendary actress Nathalie Baye, describing her as a beloved figure “with whom we loved, dreamed and grew up.”

Baye, a four-time winner of the prestigious César Awards, built an illustrious career spanning over five decades, appearing in nearly 80 films. Her family confirmed she passed away at her home in Paris on Friday evening after battling Lewy body dementia, a degenerative neurological condition.

Born in Normandy in 1948 into a family of artists, Baye began her professional journey as a dancer before transitioning into acting. She gained early recognition in François Truffaut’s 1973 film Day for Night (La Nuit Américaine), shortly after graduating from drama school.

Her breakthrough led to a series of acclaimed performances, earning her first César Award in 1981 for her role in Jean-Luc Godard’s Every Man for Himself. She went on to win additional awards in the following years for standout roles in Une Étrange Affaire and La Balance.

In 1999, Baye received international recognition when she was awarded Best Actress at the Venice Film Festival for her performance in An Affair of Love.

She later featured in global productions, including Steven Spielberg’s 2002 film Catch Me if You Can, where she played the mother of Leonardo DiCaprio’s character.

In her later years, she appeared in the popular French series Call My Agent! alongside her daughter, actress Laura Smet, and also featured in the sequel to Downton Abbey. Her final screen role came in the 2023 Franco-Lebanese drama Mother Valley (La nuit du verre d’eau).

Beyond acting, Baye was known for her advocacy on climate action and support for reforms in assisted dying laws in France.

Tributes have poured in from across the film industry. Actress Isabelle Adjani described her as “an actress of dazzling spontaneity,” while actor Richard Berry recalled their shared memories and early collaborations.

Baye also shared a high-profile relationship with rock star Johnny Hallyday, with whom she had her daughter. Hallyday’s death in 2017 had sparked nationwide mourning in France.

France’s Culture Minister, Catherine Pégard, said Baye’s talent and charisma left a lasting mark on the history of French cinema.

Her passing marks the end of an era for one of France’s most celebrated screen icons.