Émilie Dequenne Biography: Husband, Awards, Movies, Age, Height, Ethnicity, Parents, Religion, Death

Émilie Odette Ghislaine Dequenne, known professionally as Émilie Dequenne, was a remarkable Belgian actress whose raw intensity and emotional depth lit up screens in over 60 films, earning her the Cannes Best Actress award at just 17 for her breakout in the Dardenne brothers’ Palme d’Or winner Rosetta.

She blended fierce realism with versatile range across social dramas, horror blockbusters, and arthouse gems, collaborating with masters like André Téchiné, Joachim Lafosse, and Christophe Gans.

Dequenne’s career spanned gritty tales of desperation in Our Children—another Cannes triumph—to crowd-pleasers like Brotherhood of the Wolf, plus César victories and Magritte honors that marked her as a Walloon powerhouse.

Profile

• Full Name: Émilie Odette Ghislaine Dequenne
• Stage Name: Émilie Dequenne
• Born: 29 August, 1981
• Died: 16 March, 2025
• Aged: 43 years old
• Birthplace: Belœil, Hainaut, Wallonia, Belgium
• Nationality: Belgian
• Occupation: Actress
• Height: 1.65m
• Parents: Daniel Dequenne and Brigitte Dequenne
• Siblings: Audrey and Adeline
• Spouse: Michel Ferracci (m. 2014-2025)
• Partner: Alexandre Savarese (1999-2005)
• Children: Milla Savarese
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $1 million

Early Life and Education

Émilie Odette Ghislaine Dequenne was born on August 29, 1981, in Belœil, Hainaut, Wallonia, Belgium, to Daniel Dequenne and Brigitte Dequenne. Two sisters, Audrey and Adeline, grew up alongside her in the family.

She was immersed in drama from youth, training at the Académie de Musique et des Arts de la Parole in Baudour through theater workshops and courses. She is of Walloon roots, with religion kept private.

Career

Émilie Dequenne burst onto the scene at 17 with Rosetta (1999), the Dardenne brothers’ unflinching social realist drama that clinched the Palme d’Or and her Cannes Best Actress win, launching a trajectory of raw, transformative performances.

She followed with Brotherhood of the Wolf (2001), a massive French action-horror hit where her fiery presence amid wolves and intrigue drew Cabourg acclaim.

Early support in A Housekeeper (2002) and The Very Merry Widows (2003) built momentum, earning César nods for promising talent. Oui, mais… (2002) and The Light (2004) showcased her emotional range in intimate dramas, while Joseph Plateau Awards affirmed her Belgian stardom.

These foundational roles established her as a fearless interpreter of vulnerability and grit, blending non-professional authenticity with polished craft.

Dequenne deepened her impact with The Girl on the Train (2009), André Téchiné’s searing take on a fabricated antisemitic claim, winning Taormina Fest honors opposite Catherine Deneuve. Our Children (2012) from Joachim Lafosse brought another Cannes Best Actress in Un Certain Regard, plus Magritte and Palm Springs nods for her harrowing mother trapped in tragedy.

Pas son genre (2014) garnered César and Magritte Best Actress bids, cementing her romantic lead prowess. La Meute (2010) added a horror edge with festival wins, while This Is Our Land (2018) tackled extremism, securing a Magritte.

César and Magritte hauls for Love Affair(s) (2021) and Close (2022) highlighted her supporting mastery in ensembles that probed human fractures.

Émilie Dequenne capped her run with TKT (2024), portraying a mother’s anguish in a bullying drama, plus theater revivals like Mon Tibet (2010).

Awards tallied across Cannes, Césars, Magrittes, and Europeans reflect her precision in social realism and genre bends. Bridge of Spies (2004) and Survive (2024) touched English-language waters, broadening her footprint.

Performances in Mariées mais pas trop (2003) and beyond weave a tapestry of resilience, influencing Walloon cinema’s raw voice and arthouse seekers worldwide.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @emiliedequenne

Personal Life

Émilie Dequenne shared a relationship with Alexandre Savarese from 1999 to 2005, welcoming daughter Milla Savarese in 2002.

She married Michel Ferracci on October 11, 2014, staying married until her passing. Unfortunately, Émilie Dequenne died at the age of 43 on March 16, 2025, from a rare form of cancer.

Filmography

• Rosetta (1999)
• Brotherhood of the Wolf (2001)
• A Housekeeper (2002)
• The Girl on the Train (2009)
• Our Children (2012)
• Pas son genre (2014)
• This Is Our Land (2018)
• Love Affair(s) (2020)
• Close (2022)
• TKT (2024)

Net Worth

Émilie Dequenne has an estimated net worth of $1 million. Lead roles in Cannes winners like Rosetta and Our Children, plus blockbusters such as Brotherhood of the Wolf, generated salaries and residuals.

Festival awards, Magrittes, and steady European output fueled her modest fortune in indie-heavy cinema.