Catherine Ringer, iconic singer of Les Rita Mitsouko, dies aged 68

Published on 15/09/2026 - 12:57 GMT+2

A voice, a style, an energy and a sense of freedom that left their mark on several generations. Catherine Ringer, singer and co-founder of Les Rita Mitsouko, has died at the age of 68. Her children announced her death to Agence France-Presse, saying she had been struck down by "a sudden, aggressive cancer" during the night of 14 September 2026.

She was born in Suresnes in 1957. Her father, Sam Ringer, an Ashkenazi Jew born in Poland, had been deported to several concentration camps. Catherine Ringer told his story in "C'était un homme", on the album Cool Frénésie.

In 1979 she met Fred Chichin, and from their artistic and personal partnership was born one of the most original duos in French music. Les Rita Mitsouko quickly carved out a world of their own, blending rock, pop, funk, electro and chanson.

Real success came in the mid-1980s with "Marcia Baïla", a track that became emblematic of the French scene. The band then reeled off a string of hits, including "Andy", "C'est comme ça" and "Les Histoires d'A." Their music, their videos and their offbeat aesthetic made Les Rita Mitsouko a phenomenon that went far beyond the boundaries of rock.

In November 2007, the death of Fred Chichin, who also died of cancer at just 53, could have brought the story to an end. Catherine Ringer instead chose to keep their repertoire alive. She went on to pursue a solo career and regularly returned to the stage with the songs of Les Rita Mitsouko.

Still active in 2026, she had notably performed in Paris last February. She was due to continue championing on stage the body of work born of her collaboration with Fred Chichin.

With her death, French music loses a unique figure. Catherine Ringer remains inseparable from Les Rita Mitsouko, but also from her very own way of taking to the stage: free, provocative, original and much loved by the public.