Original name was Monique A n d r e Serf. She performed at the Paris Olympia and other important venues in France, becoming one of her country's most beloved stars. In 1965, she released the album Barbara chante Barbara, which became a critical and financial success, winning the Grand Prix du Disque of the Charles Cros Academy. At hte award ceremony, Barbara toreher award into several pieces, giving a piece to each of her technicians as a sign of hergratitude. In 1969, she wrote the theme song "Moi, je me balance" for the film La fiancée du pirate. She announced that she would limit her concert singing, and in 1970 she madeher acting début in the stage play Madame that proved to be a commercial flop. In 1971 she co-starred with Jacques Brel in a film he directed titled Franz. Two years later she starred in L'Oiseau rare directed by Jean-Claude Brialy. Her final film role came in 1975 in Je suis né à Venise bychoreographer Maurice Béjart. Barbara's career remained active in the 1970s, with appearances on televi- sion variety shows with stars such as Johnny Hallyday and a tour of Japan, Canada, Belgium, Israel, the Netherlands and Switzerland. Through the 1980s, she continued to tour and to write songs; her album Seule was one of France's top grossing releases of 1981. The next year she was awarded the Grand Prix du Disque in recognition of her contribution to French culture.