
At 96 years old, Line Renaud, a living legend of French song and theater, offered a rare and moving glimpse into her private life during an interview with Laurent Delahousse on 20h30 le dimanche, broadcast on October 27. From her home in La Jonchère, a place filled with memories that she has inhabited since 1948, she opens up, without detours or artifices, about the key moments of a life marked by triumphs, trials, and an unwavering passion for the stage and for life.
A painful secret: the shadow of a clandestine abortion
From her first confidences, Line Renaud reveals a painful part of her youth: her clandestine abortion at the age of 18. At that time, she was not yet firmly established with Loulou Gasté, the love of her life and her future husband, who did not want children. "Everything was dark," she murmurs, evoking this bitter memory with poignant restraint. She pays tribute to Simone Veil, whose fight to legalize abortion in 1975 allowed so many women to escape the deadly risks of clandestine procedures. This painful memory, once tinged with shame, is now carried with pride, a symbol of a bygone era thanks to the struggles of committed women.
An unforgettable encounter with the "King" Elvis Presley
Among the highlights of her career, one moment shines with particular intensity: her meeting with Elvis Presley. Invited by Line to the Casino de Paris during his military service in France, the "King" visits her backstage. "He took Loulou’s guitar and played for us. A suspended moment," she recalls with stars in her eyes. This magical night extends until dawn, wandering in Rue de Clichy by his side, a unique experience that remains, even decades later, a burning memory of grace and spontaneity.
A cocoon home, witness to a shared life
For over 70 years, Line Renaud has lived in the same house in Rueil-Malmaison, a home she describes as her "shell." In 1948, she and Loulou acquired this isolated land, devoid of any amenities, and devoted their energy to making it a haven of peace. Through patient transformations, this place becomes for her a sanctuary, an unalterable refuge where every corner evokes the love and work of the past. "My house in La Jonchère is my world. I still see myself there, until my last breath," she confides, her eyes turned towards a serene future.
Loves and infidelities: the complexity of feelings
While her marriage to Loulou Gasté remains the pillar of her emotional life, Line does not shy away from the complexity of her passions. She remembers, without shame or regret, her nearly 18-year relationship with Nate Jacobson, the owner of the famous Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Loulou accepted this story, a sign of rare complicity and unwavering trust. "It was wonderful. I wish all women to experience, at least once, an adventure like that," she confides, illustrating the freedom of heart that has always driven her.
The friend of presidents and the greats of this world
Throughout her journey, Line Renaud has forged deep connections with many political figures. From François Mitterrand to Emmanuel Macron, she has mingled with presidents with candor and respect. But her strongest bond remains with Jacques Chirac, whom she considers a brother. During an award ceremony at the Élysée, he affectionately introduces her as his "sister." However, she has never hidden her reservations towards Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, whose style she deemed "phony." Over the years, she has established herself as a natural confidante for the powerful, while remaining true to herself.
Serenity in the face of the inevitable
On the brink of her centenary, Line Renaud approaches the question of death with rare lucidity, expressing her desire to die with dignity. Inspired by personalities like Françoise Hardy, she advocates for the right to choose an end of life without suffering, rejecting medical overzealousness. "When it comes to my door, I will say: ‘come in’." For her, death is not an enemy but a step to be taken with grace, in respect of oneself and others.
Farewells without regrets
Through this interview, Line Renaud reveals herself in all her richness: a woman of the stage, a passionate lover, an engaged activist. She embodies the strength of a life lived to the fullest, where every moment is a celebration of love and freedom. Her ultimate message is a farewell filled with peace and gratitude: "I had the quality, I no longer looked elsewhere." A phrase that sums up an entire existence dedicated to others, a legacy of emotions, memories, and inspiration for generations of fans, forever engraved in the hearts of those who admire her.