Bamboo, Caroline Elisabeth Paulus his real name, now shares a piece of his life in an autobiography, Step by step in the night published by XO. The opportunity for her to put down on paper her painful childhood, her lost youth and her life with Serge Gainsbourg. She accompanied her last and only love until his death in 1991. But as with Serge, everything was not always obvious and easy. Particularly because of his love for women, other women. And Jane Birkin had a very special place.
There are many who remind him of this. First the press which, on Christmas Eve, asks only one question: to know which of his concubines he is spending the end of year holidays with. “Every move becomes a chaseshe says in the work. As soon as I take a taxi, the pack follows me.“Once the crazy race is over, there is another woman who is there to remind him: Serge Gainsbourg’s mother. Because this Christmas, it is Bambou that the artist has decided to take home.”I'm surprised he took me there so quicklyreports Lulu Gainsbourg's mother. He is the person who matters most to Serge, Jane and the girls.“
Serge Gainsbourg separated from Jane Birkin: a regret for the artist's mother
Serge Gainsbourg's mother, Olga, was almost 90 years old at that time. She reigns over the family, as Bambou writes. And on Avenue Bugeaud, in the 16th century, where she lives, she doesn't hold her tongue in her pocket. When it comes to pointing out how much she prefers Jane, she doesn't hold back. “She loves Jane, can't stand separation, and shows itremembers Lulu’s mother. And these girls that her son brings to her, she has long been able to make them understand where their place is.“When Bambou gives her the gift she bought for him, a beautiful shawl, she prefers to thank her son. The message is sent.
What relationship did Serge Gainsbourg have with his mother Olga?
The relationship between mother and son, “Sergei“, as she likes to call it, is powerful. Bambou feels that she has no place there. Like when they lock themselves in the room to tell each other secrets in Russian. Or when the mother of interpreter of I love you neither worries again under his nose about one day seeing Jane Birkin again. “Their big question is when – and not even if, but when! – Serge will come back with Jane. And then time passes. Sundays and years go by and I'm still here. The celebrity newspapers with headlines in turn confirm that Jane is elsewhere. But it will take more, all the same, for me to completely stop being the foreigner.” Strong words.
