Virginie Ledoyen is a movie star who flashed in the Hollywood sky, but preferred European cinema. The spectacular girl is successfully making a career, starring in cosmetic advertising, participating in charity projects, raising three children, embodying the ideals of a modern French woman.
Childhood and adolescence: the beginning of a biography
Virginie was born in 1976 in the town of Oberville near Paris. Her real surname is Fernandez, hinting at her father's Spanish roots. The sonorous surname Ledoyen, known to all film lovers, the girl borrowed from her grandmother, by the way, also an actress who became famous on the stage.
The family of the future star was wealthy enough. Virginie's father owned a hardware store, and her mother ran a restaurant. The girl had a younger brother, Michelle, but after a few years her parents broke up. Virginie's mother later remarried.
The future actress plunged into the world of show business at a very early age - at the age of 2 she starred in commercials, and later became a model showing sportswear for children. At the age of 9, the aspiring model abruptly changed her career, entering a theater studio. The talent and charm of the spectacular dark-haired baby did not go unnoticed, after 2 years she got her first movie role. The partner turned out to be the great Marcello Mastroiani, and the role became a real pass to a big movie. A year later, the young talent made his debut on the theater stage.
Film career
Despite the success in her modeling and film career, Virginie did not plan to become an actress - in her early youth she was attracted by the profession of a lawyer. The girl believed that it was precisely such an education that would provide her with a stable income and independence. However, closer to the age of 20, she changed her mind and began to actively act in films. In 1991, 2 pictures with her participation were released at once. The roles were secondary, but the beautiful and charismatic brunette was remembered by the public. The following year, she was offered the lead role in the film by Michel Carne, but due to financial problems, the project was not completed.
In 1993, the actress performed in the unusual role of a rebellious teenager. Later, the painting Cold Water was nominated for the Cesar Prize. Another project this year is the romantic comedy "Prazdik", which has received recognition from the audience. In 1995 Virginie played one of her most famous roles in The Lonely Girl and again became a nominee for the prestigious Cesar. In the 90s, Ledoyenne starred in 12 films, receiving 2 more nominations for awards as the most promising young actress. The actress also tried herself in television series - the historical film "Marianne's Life" has high ratings and commercial success. Later, based on his motives, a full-length film was filmed, in which Ledoyen also got a role.
The promising European actress was noticed in Hollywood. In 1999 she received an invitation to shoot in the film "The Beach", where Virginie's partner is Leonardo DiCaprio. The following year, the picture appears on the screen and receives very mixed reviews. However, even harsh film critics note that the Frenchwoman coped with the role. She is pursued by the paparazzi, there are rumors of an affair with the brilliant Leonardo. Virginie herself admits that the role of a Hollywood star was uncomfortable for her. The girl receives many offers, but refuses them - she does not want to play a sexy French woman who is ready to undress on the screen at any time.
Ledoyen makes a fateful decision and announces his desire to appear only in European film projects. An interesting proposal was not long in coming - Francois Ozon gives the actress one of the main roles in the project "8 women". Virginie stars alongside Karin Deneuve, Fanny Ardant, Isabelle Huppert and other mega-stars, receiving critical and audiences acclaim.
In the same year, the actress signs a contract with the Loreal company and becomes the face of popular cosmetics. Such an offer is very useful - high fees allow you to relax a little and devote time not only to your film career, but also to your personal life.
The last notable work was the role in the film "Goodbye, My Queen". The picture is based on the novel by Chantal Thom and tells about the life of the Queen of France Marie-Antoinette. For her merits, the actress was awarded the prestigious French Order of Arts and Fine Arts. Among her achievements are the Golden Bear Award at the Berlin Film Festival and the prestigious awards of the European Film Academy.
Personal life
Ledoyen is fully consistent with the image of the spectacular, windy and unpredictable star of French cinema. She has many fans, the actress linked her life with men three times, but all marriages ended in parting.
The first husband of Virginie was Louis Soubrier, a partner in the film "Lonely Girl". The name turned out to be prophetic - despite the birth of their daughter Leela in 2001, the couple soon broke up. The second time, the actress married director Ian Rogers, but the couple divorced a year later. With the actor Ali Elmalele Ledoyen did not formalize the relationship officially, while the relationship lasted longer than others - from 2007 to 2015. The couple have two children - a son Isaac and a daughter Amalia. The breakup occurred by mutual agreement, the ex-husband and wife maintained friendly relations.
Today Virginie is quite happy with life - she lives in Paris, brings up children, enjoys reading and gardening. The actress continues to shoot in commercials and is considering proposals from directors. It is possible that soon she will delight fans with a new interesting role, but the exact plans are still kept secret.
