Beloved French actress Catherine Deneuve turned 80 this year, and looking back on her life and professional career, she says she only has one regret.
The once-superstar was respected and loved around the world for her incredible talent, and Deneuve said that while she loved her life and the way she lived it, she does regret posing for Playboy.
Catherine Deneuve’s Background
Deneuve was one of the most famous actresses in the world during the late 1960s and early 1970s.
She starred in several iconic films, made the front page of magazines, and even met Queen Elizabeth II.
No Desire to Be an Actress
The story goes that Deneuve never truly wanted to be an actress. However, her sister persuaded her to attend her first casting in 1956 when young Catherine was only thirteen years old.
The rest, as they say, is history. Deneuve continued acting for the next sixty-five years, even filming her most recent movie in 2019.
Living Life as if She Wasn’t Famous
Deneuve got her big break when she was twenty-one years old when the film The Umbrellas of Cherbourg was released in 1964.
However, even after she became an international sensation, she says she continued to live her life how she wanted to—as if she wasn’t famous at all.
Catherine’s Life in Her Own Words
In a recent interview, she explained, “I never pretended anything, I did not create appearances. I lived as I wanted. If I really want something, nothing can stop me, and I whistle at what others will think.”
From spending time with her children to traveling around the world, Catherine wasn’t afraid of the paparazzi, she just didn’t care about them.
Getting Romantically Involved
Deneuve married David Bailey in 1965 after the two met during a photo shoot for Playboy magazine’s British edition.
Sadly, their relationship didn’t stand the test of time, and the two divorced only seven years later in 1972. And while Deneuve had several other partners over the years, she never lived with another man again.
Catherine’s Only Read Regret
Interestingly, the Playboy shoot where Catherine met her husband David is reportedly the only event in the star’s life she regrets.
In fact, she said it clear as day: “posing for ‘Playboy’ is probably the only thing I regret in life.”
Her Real Reason for Remorse
The exact quote from Catherine’s interview has led some fans to question her exact meaning. Did she regret the shoot because she appeared nude or because she met David while shooting?
She first said about the shoot, “I fell in love at first sight,” but went on to say, “But posing for ‘Playboy’ is probably the only thing I regret in life.”
No Stranger to Nudity
Another reason many people are wondering about the intent behind the comment is because the French film star was no stranger to nudity.
In several of her films, such as Belle de Jour, the audience doesn’t see all of Ms. Deneuve, but they certainly see a lot.
A Long, Illustrious Career
No matter what Catherine’s intention was behind the comment, there is no doubt that she is immensely proud of the rest of her incredible career.
In addition to her numerous beloved films, the star has also won several accolades for her performances, including the European Film Academy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013 and the European Film Award for Best Actress in 2002.
Suffering a Recent Health Scare
Amazingly, Catherine is still acting, even at eighty years old. However, while on set for the French film De Son Vivant in 2019, the actress fainted and was rushed to a nearby hospital.
Doctors reported that the actress had a stroke, but luckily, because they were able to assist her so quickly, she recovered quickly and was even seen back on set a few months later.
The World Has No Regrets for Catherine Deneuve
Although Catherine may regret posing for Playboy all those years ago, the world has absolutely nothing negative to say about the incredible actress.
The amazing way in which she lived her life for herself, as well as her seriously impressive acting skills, will live on forever.
