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, according to confirmation from her family.
The actress was discovered unconscious in a pool at a private sports club located on Rue Blanche in Paris’s 9th arrondissement on April 11. Emergency responders rushed her to the hospital after fellow swimmers pulled her from the water and performed CPR. She spent nearly a week in a medically induced coma before dying on April 17.
Farès’s daughters, Cylia and Shana Chasman, released a statement to Agence France-Presse sharing the heartbreaking news. “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.
Authorities have opened an investigation into what happened at the sports club, though police have said they found no evidence of wrongdoing. The sudden loss has sparked an outpouring of grief across social media, with colleagues and fans celebrating the actress’s significant impact on French and international film.
In a touching Instagram tribute, daughter Cylia described her mother’s death as “a heartbreak I will never get over,” noting that she prays daily it is merely a nightmare. She expressed gratitude for her mother’s strength, the life she gave her, and their shared memories.
Cylia’s emotional post highlighted their deepening relationship in recent months, writing: “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 emphasized that her mother was both an amazing parent and her best friend.
The Moroccan-born actress achieved international fame through her starring role in Mathieu Kassovitz’s acclaimed 2000 thriller “The Crimson Rivers” alongside Jean Reno and Vincent Cassel. In the film, she played the dual role of Fanny Ferreira and Judith Hérault, a performance that propelled her career forward and led to Hollywood opportunities including the 2007 action thriller “War” opposite Jason Statham and Jet Li, and the Australian horror film “Storm Warning” released the same year.
Born December 20, 1968, in Marrakesh, Morocco, Farès spent her childhood in Nice, France, before moving to Paris to pursue acting. Her film career launched in 1992 with “My Wife’s Girlfriends,” and throughout the 1990s she collaborated with prominent French directors including Alexandre Arcady, Claude Lelouch, and Bernie Bonvoisin, building a strong reputation in the industry.
Television also figured prominently in her career, beginning with her small screen debut in 1990 on the French crime drama series “Navarro.” She later gained recognition for playing Vanessa d’Abrantes in 14 episodes of the popular Netflix series “Marseille” from 2016 to 2018.
Her personal life included marriage to American film producer Steve Chasman in 2002, and the couple later moved to Los Angeles. They had two daughters together before separating in 2022, after which the actress moved back to France. She had taken a break from acting in 2009 to focus on family life.
The actress faced serious health struggles over the years and had been open about her medical challenges. She underwent three heart operations within a four-year period and brain surgery for an aneurysm in 2007. Despite these obstacles, she maintained her dedication to acting and continued to work.
Farès was on the verge of a significant career milestone, having planned to make her directorial debut this September on an action comedy she had written herself, with Studios TF1 serving as producer. She had expressed excitement about the new project in a January profile with Gala magazine. Her most recent film, “Toujours Possible,” was released in 2025.
According to estimates at the time of her death, Farès’s net worth ranged between $5 million and $10 million, accumulated through her extensive work in acting, endorsements, and producing.
Her sudden passing has reverberated throughout the entertainment world in France and internationally. Social media has been flooded with fans sharing memories of her performances and sending condolences to her family. Many have emphasized that her legacy encompasses not just her screen work but also her character as a radiant woman who brought intensity and elegance to every project.
As the French film industry mourns one of its celebrated talents, the body of work Farès leaves behind stands as a testament to her skill and commitment. From her breakthrough performance to her final film and the directorial debut that will never be realized, she created a significant artistic legacy that will continue to inspire audiences and filmmakers for years to come.