Nathalie Baye's death sparks moving tributes from daughter Laura Smet

French actress Nathalie Baye died on 17 April 2026 at age 77 after battling Lewy body disease, a condition combining aspects of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Two days later her daughter, actress Laura Smet, posted an emotional Instagram story saying, “Maman, I’ve lost half my heart,” and thanked supporters. More than three months later Smet reiterated her grief, stating she cannot stop crying and has turned to hypnotherapy to help cope.

Bays' funeral was held on 24 April at Saint‑Sulpice in Paris, drawing about 400 attendees, including celebrities such as Sylvie Vartan, David Hallyday, Michel Drucker, Catherine Deneuve, and Eddy Mitchell. Public figures including French President Emmanuel Macron and filmmaker Steven Spielberg also issued tributes, highlighting Baye's impact on French cinema.