Nadia Farès, the acclaimed French actress known for her role in “The Crimson Rivers,” has died at age 57 following a drowning incident at a Paris swimming pool. She passed away on Friday, April 17, 2026, at Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital after suffering cardiac arrest, her family confirmed.
On April 11, Farès was discovered unconscious in a pool at a private sports club located on Rue Blanche in Paris’s 9th arrondissement. Other swimmers at the facility rescued her from the water and performed CPR until emergency personnel arrived and rushed her to the hospital. She spent nearly a week in a medically induced coma before dying on April 17.
The actress’s daughters, Cylia and Shana Chasman, shared the tragic news through 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.
Born December 20, 1968, in Marrakesh, Morocco, Farès spent her formative years in Nice, France, before moving to Paris to pursue her acting career. 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.
Farès achieved international recognition in 2000 when she played 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 launched her to Hollywood, where she appeared in the 2007 action thriller “War” opposite Jason Statham and Jet Li, as well as the Australian horror film “Storm Warning” that same year.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the circumstances of the pool incident, though police have indicated no evidence of wrongdoing has been found. The tragedy sparked an outpouring of grief on social media, with fans and colleagues remembering her remarkable contributions to French and international cinema.
In 2002, Farès married American film producer Steve Chasman and subsequently moved to Los Angeles, where she took a break from acting in 2009 to focus on family life. They had two daughters together before separating in 2022, after which the actress returned to live in France.
The actress had been open 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.
Farès also built a successful television career, most notably portraying Vanessa d’Abrantes in 14 episodes of the popular Netflix series “Marseille” from 2016 to 2018. Her television work began in 1990 with an appearance in the French crime drama series “Navarro.”
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 in September on an action comedy she had 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, noting her legacy 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.