Catherine Ringer Dies at 68: Her Life, Music Career and Achievements
French singer and songwriter Catherine Ringer, best known as the lead vocalist and co-founder of the influential music duo Les Rita Mitsouko, has died at the age of 68.
Ringer died during the night of September 14, 2026, after a sudden and aggressive cancer, her children announced in a statement to Agence France-Presse. Her death brings an end to the career of one of the most distinctive figures in French popular music.
For more than four decades, Catherine Ringer was known for her powerful voice, unusual stage presence and willingness to cross musical boundaries. Through Les Rita Mitsouko and later her solo career, she helped shape an alternative side of French pop and rock.
Catherine Ringer’s early life
Catherine Ringer was born on October 18, 1957, in Suresnes, near Paris, France. She developed an interest in performing from an early age and worked in theatre, dance and music before becoming widely known as a singer.
During the 1970s, Ringer studied dance and worked in various stage productions. She also met Argentine dancer and choreographer Marcia Moretto, who would later become the inspiration for one of Ringer’s most famous songs.
Ringer’s early experience in theatre and dance became an important part of her artistic identity. She was not simply a vocalist but a performer whose music was closely connected to visual presentation and movement.
Catherine Ringer and Les Rita Mitsouko
Ringer’s career changed significantly in 1979 when she met guitarist and musician Fred Chichin. The two began writing and performing music together before forming what became Les Rita Mitsouko.
The duo made its live debut in Paris in 1980 and released its first recordings in the early 1980s. Their music did not fit neatly into one category, drawing from rock, pop, funk, new wave, electronic music and Latin influences.
Their unusual sound and Ringer’s distinctive image gradually attracted attention, but their major breakthrough came with the release of “Marcia Baïla.”
Catherine Ringer’s breakthrough with ‘Marcia Baïla’
“Marcia Baïla” became one of Les Rita Mitsouko’s signature songs.
Released in 1984, the song was written by Ringer and Chichin as a tribute to Marcia Moretto, the Argentine dancer and choreographer who had been Ringer’s teacher and friend. Moretto died from cancer in 1983.
The song became a major hit in France, reaching No. 2 on the French singles chart, while its colourful music video helped establish Ringer as an unconventional and highly recognisable performer.
“Marcia Baïla” also helped introduce Les Rita Mitsouko to a wider international audience and remains one of the best-known songs associated with Ringer’s career.
The success of Les Rita Mitsouko
Following the success of their debut album, Les Rita Mitsouko released The No Comprendo in 1986, an album that further established the duo’s reputation.
The album produced popular songs including “Andy” and “C’est comme ça” and won the Victoires de la Musique award for Best Album of the Year in 1987. The group also won the award for Best Video for “C’est comme ça.”
The duo later worked with renowned producer Tony Visconti, known for his work with major international artists. Les Rita Mitsouko also collaborated with musicians outside France, including Sparks and Iggy Pop.
Their music eventually made them one of the most respected and recognisable acts in French rock and pop.
Catherine Ringer’s career after Fred Chichin
Ringer’s partnership with Chichin was both professional and personal. They had three children together and remained musical collaborators for decades.
Chichin died from cancer in November 2007 at the age of 53. His death effectively brought Les Rita Mitsouko’s original partnership to an end.
Ringer, however, continued performing.
She toured with a programme dedicated to the music of Les Rita Mitsouko and subsequently developed a successful solo career. Her solo work included the album Ring n’ Roll, released in 2011, which became an important part of her post-Rita Mitsouko career.
In 2012, Ringer received one of the most significant individual recognitions of her career when she won the Victoires de la Musique award for Female Artist of the Year. It was her first Victoire de la Musique as a solo artist.
She also received a special SACEM award that year and had previously been recognised with the Grand Prix of the Charles Cros Academy alongside Les Rita Mitsouko.
Catherine Ringer’s achievements
Ringer’s achievements extended beyond her work with Les Rita Mitsouko.
With the group, she was part of several award-winning projects, including The No Comprendo, which won Best Album at the Victoires de la Musique in 1987. The group also received recognition for its music videos and overall contribution to French music.
As a solo performer, Ringer won the 2012 Victoire for Female Artist of the Year. She was also recognised by France’s Ministry of Culture through the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, receiving the rank of Officer.
Her career also included work in theatre, dance and other artistic projects, reflecting the broad range of disciplines that shaped her identity as a performer.
Catherine Ringer’s musical legacy
Catherine Ringer’s importance to French music lies partly in her refusal to remain within conventional boundaries.
Les Rita Mitsouko combined different sounds and artistic influences at a time when French popular music was often associated more strongly with traditional chanson. Ringer brought an energetic and theatrical quality to the duo, while Chichin’s musicianship helped create their distinctive sound.
Songs such as “Marcia Baïla,” “C’est comme ça,” “Andy” and “Singing in the Shower” remain associated with the group’s legacy. The duo’s willingness to experiment helped establish them as one of France’s most influential alternative pop-rock acts.
Even after Chichin’s death, Ringer continued performing rather than allowing the group’s music to disappear from the public stage.
Her death at 68 therefore marks the loss of an artist whose career stretched from theatre and dance in the 1970s to French rock stardom in the 1980s and a respected solo career decades later.
Catherine Ringer leaves behind a body of work that crossed generations and musical styles, while her performances with Les Rita Mitsouko secured her place in the history of French popular music.
Frequently asked questions
Who was Catherine Ringer?
Catherine Ringer was a French singer, songwriter and performer best known as the co-founder and lead vocalist of Les Rita Mitsouko, one of France’s most influential pop-rock groups.
How old was Catherine Ringer when she died?
Catherine Ringer was 68 years old. She was born on October 18, 1957, and died on September 14, 2026.
What was Catherine Ringer famous for?
She was best known for her work with Les Rita Mitsouko and songs including “Marcia Baïla,” “C’est comme ça” and “Andy.”
Who was Fred Chichin to Catherine Ringer?
Fred Chichin was Ringer’s long-time musical partner and the guitarist and co-founder of Les Rita Mitsouko. They also had a personal relationship and three children together. Chichin died of cancer in 2007.
What awards did Catherine Ringer win?
Ringer won the Victoires de la Musique award for Female Artist of the Year in 2012. With Les Rita Mitsouko, she was part of award-winning projects including The No Comprendo, which won Best Album in 1987.
What is Catherine Ringer’s most famous song?
“Marcia Baïla” is widely regarded as one of her best-known songs. It was released by Les Rita Mitsouko in 1984 and became a major hit in France.