The French film industry is mourning the loss of acclaimed actress Nadia Farès, who died on Friday, April 17, 2026, at age 57 following a tragic swimming pool incident in Paris. The star of the psychological thriller “The Crimson Rivers” died at Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital after suffering cardiac arrest, her family confirmed.
Farès was found unconscious in a swimming pool at a private sports club on Rue Blanche in Paris’s 9th arrondissement on April 11. Fellow swimmers pulled her from the water and administered CPR before emergency responders transported her to the hospital, where she remained in a medically induced coma for nearly a week before her death on April 17.
Her daughters, Cylia and Shana Chasman, announced the devastating news in a statement to Agence France-Presse. “It is with immense sadness that we announce the death this Friday of Nadia Farès. France has lost a great artist, but for us, it is above all a mother that we have just lost,” they wrote.
The tragedy has drawn an outpouring of grief on social media, with fans and colleagues remembering the actress’ remarkable contributions to French and international cinema. Police have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident, though authorities have indicated no evidence of wrongdoing has been found.
Born December 20, 1968, in Marrakesh, Morocco, Farès grew up in Nice, France, before relocating to Paris to pursue her acting dreams. She made her film debut in 1992 with “My Wife’s Girlfriends” and steadily built a reputation throughout the 1990s, working with renowned French directors including Alexandre Arcady, Claude Lelouch, and Bernie Bonvoisin.
Her breakthrough came in 2000 when she starred in the dual role of Fanny Ferreira and Judith Hérault in Mathieu Kassovitz’s acclaimed thriller “The Crimson Rivers” alongside Jean Reno and Vincent Cassel. The film’s success propelled her to international recognition and opened doors to Hollywood productions. She went on to appear in the 2007 action thriller “War” opposite Jason Statham and Jet Li, as well as the Australian horror film “Storm Warning” the same year.
Beyond cinema, Farès made her mark on television, most notably portraying Vanessa d’Abrantes in 14 episodes of the popular Netflix series “Marseille” from 2016 to 2018. Her career began on the small screen in 1990 with an appearance in the French crime drama series “Navarro.”
In 2002, Farès married American film producer Steve Chasman and later relocated to Los Angeles, where she took a break from acting in 2009 to focus on family life. The couple had two daughters together before separating in 2022, after which the actress returned to live in France.
The actress had been candid about her ongoing health struggles in recent years. She underwent brain surgery for an aneurysm in 2007 and had three heart operations within a four-year period. Despite these challenges, she continued working and remained passionate about her craft.
Her most recent film, “Toujours Possible,” was released in 2025. The actress was also preparing for an exciting new chapter in her career, with plans to make her directorial debut this September on an action comedy she had also written, produced by Studios TF1. She had shared her enthusiasm about the venture in a January profile with Gala magazine.
In a heartbreaking Instagram tribute, daughter Cylia described her mother’s death as “a heartbreak I will never get over,” writing that she prays each day that it is all a nightmare. She thanked her mother for fighting, for giving her life, and for every memory they shared.
Cylia continued her emotional message, reflecting on their close bond during her mother’s final months. “I am so happy that we got even closer than we were before in your last few months. You understood me better than anyone, and I don’t know how I will recover,” she wrote, adding that her mother was not only an amazing parent but her best friend.
At the time of her death, estimates placed Farès’s net worth between $5 million and $10 million, accumulated through her extensive work in acting, endorsements, and producing.
The actress’ sudden death sent shockwaves through the entertainment community in France and beyond. Fans have taken to social media to share memories of her performances and express condolences to her family. Many have noted that her legacy extends far beyond her memorable screen roles, remembering her as a radiant woman who brought intensity and elegance to every project.
As France mourns the loss of one of its celebrated artists, Farès’s body of work remains a testament to her talent and dedication. From her breakthrough in “The Crimson Rivers” to her final film and unrealized directorial debut, she leaves behind a significant artistic legacy that will continue to inspire audiences and filmmakers for years to come.
