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Born 9 August, 1943, in Nuars, Nièvre, France, Danièle Louise Régina Gaubert had a brief career as a teen model before director Claude Autant-Lara chose her for the lead of his film, Les régates de San Francisco (1960).

She then starred as a rebellious teen, in Terrain vague (1960), directed by Marcel Carné in an attempt to be part of the then en-vogue, French New Wave. Daniele soon found herself as the darling of veteran directors working at the time.

One of her most memorable roles during this period was as the young mistress of aging industrialist Curd Jürgens, in Begegnung in Salzburg (1964).

Later that year, she left films and married Rhadamés Leonidas Trujillo, son of Rafael Trujillo, the former dictator of the Dominican Republic, which he ruled for over 3 decades.

In November,1964, Rhadamés was arrested and jailed, stemming from charges brought by his many half-brothers and half-sisters, looking for the 'lost Trujillo fortune'.

Daniele soon gave birth to the couple's daughter, Maria Danielle,in 1965, and to their son, Leonidas Rhadames, the following year.

Unfortunately, by October '67, she was left with the children, living in Normandy, France, when Trujillo filled for divorce.

In 1967, with a dire need of being able to support both herself, and her children, Daniele decided to return to film.

When she returned to work (and for the next two years, Danielle would be given top billing in most of these films, and launched into the heights of European 'mod' cinema; so-called due to its cutting-edge cinematography and art direction, and striking visual elements. In other words, style was of utmost importance, whereas a film's story - it's substance wasn't.

Her comeback film was Le grand dadais (1967) costarred Jacques Perrin and Eva Renzi).

By this time, her divorce from Trujillo was finalised. The settlement included her being awarded country mansion, (the equivalent of) US$150-thousand, and $1-thousand/mo child support.

Daniele then starred in her most (in)famous role; as Marguerite Gautier in Camille 2000 (1969), a soft core take on Alexandre Dumas fils's The Lady of The Camellias.

Amongst grind-house connoisseurs, the film's considered one of the more trendsetting, 'futuristic' films of the late 60s, and was amongst one of the first high-profile adult films released during the early days of the MPAA ratings.

On Christmas eve, 1968, whilst on holiday, she met French Olympic gold medalist skiing champ, Jean-Claude Killy in his hometown, Val D'Isere, in the lobby of the La Bergerie ski lodge (operated by his parents). The pair became inseparable. She couldn't ski, but they shared much in common.

During the making of Camille 2000 (1969),, it was the hope of many cast members that the success of this film would enable them to be cast in 'international' films, those made in the US. In Daniele's case it did, but most likely not quite what she would have hoped for.

Danielle would make only one more film, Snow Job (1972), a heist film about a ski instructor taking control of a robbery in the Italian mountains.

Jean-Claude was the male lead, and it was while the couple were working on this picture when they secretly wed, in the village of Archamps on 2 Novembe, 1973. Soon,the couple welcomed a new daughter, Emilie, and Jean-Claude adopted Daniele's other children from her previous marriage.

Danielle permanently retired from film in September, '74, and the couple - along with their children, settled into a peaceful, happy life, with Jean-Claude becoming an 'gris éminent' of international skiing.

Sadly, though both Danielle and Jean-Claude were relatively young, Daniele passed away of cancer, on 3 November, 1987, in Marseille, Bouches-du-Rhône, aged 44.

For Jean-Claude, the years with Daniele were full of love and happiness. In a 1990 interview, he said she was the love of his life. He said he had planned to retire, and live with his wife.

Daniele was laid to rest in the small churchyard in the parish of Nègremont in Curvalle, in southern France, where her parents lived. Jean-Claude took one look at the church, and knew what had to be done.

The church soon underwent an extensive renovation, all dedicated to the memory of Daniele. In the years which followed, the entire town experienced a renaissance, with the mayor saying this renewal of the church and town is the living tribute to Danielle - one which keeps growing.

French starlet and model from the age of fifteen, featured in Esquire (1960), Playboy (1969) and Oui (1974) magazines.

Had 3 children: 2 children, including daughter Isabelle Trujillo Martínez, with her now ex-1st husband Radhamés Trujillo Martínez and a daughter Emilie Killy with her now widowed 2nd husband <a class="ipc-md-link ipc-md-link--entity" href="/name/nm0453246/?ref_=nmtrv_trv">Jean-Claude Killy</a>.

Trivia

Danièle Gaubert

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