Marianne Uhl

Charlotte Valandrey, born Anne-Charlotte Pascal, was a French actress and author who achieved early recognition for her role in the 1985 film Red Kiss. Her performance earned her a "Most Promising Actress" César nomination and the Silver Bear for Best Actress at the Berlin Film Festival. Despite initial expectations of stardom, her acting career followed a more modest path.

Valandrey's life was significantly impacted by her health. At sixteen, she discovered she was HIV-positive. Later, she underwent a heart transplant in 2003 after severe heart damage. Her experiences with illness and love were chronicled in her 2005 autobiography, L'Amour dans le sang, which became a bestseller and was adapted into a television film. She passed away in 2022 at the age of 53, following a second heart transplant attempt, and was a dedicated advocate for organ donation.

Born Anne-Charlotte Pascal in Brittany, France, Charlotte Valandrey adopted her professional name in 1985. Her acting career began at sixteen with a notable role in Véra Belmont's "Red Kiss." Her portrayal of a young communist in 1950s Paris garnered significant acclaim, leading to a nomination for "Most Promising Actress" at the César Awards. She also received the Silver Bear for Best Actress at the 36th Berlin International Film Festival for her performance. In 1986, she was featured in the music video for David Bowie's song "As the World Falls Down."

Valandrey's personal life was marked by significant health challenges. Shortly before her eighteenth birthday, she learned she was HIV-positive. In 2002, following a separation and triple therapy that severely damaged her heart, she suffered two heart attacks, leaving her with only 10% heart capacity. She received a heart transplant on November 4, 2003. Her experiences with love and illness, including her relationship with her cardiologist and an architect she believed was connected to her donor, were detailed in her 2005 autobiography.

Charlotte Valandrey's autobiography, "L'Amour dans le sang," published in 2005, achieved considerable success, selling over 280,000 copies and leading to a television adaptation in 2008. The book offered a candid account of her personal life, particularly her health struggles and relationships. Beyond her writing, Valandrey was actively involved as a patron for the Greffe de vie ("Foundation of Life Registry"), dedicating herself to promoting awareness and support for organ donation and transplantation.