Death of Chantal Gallia: pioneer of imitation, she dies of a stroke at 65

The essential The imitator Chantal Gallia died of a stroke, Sunday July 10, at the age of 65. She had had her peak in the 1970s by impersonating several famous women. If male imitators are numerous, women can be counted on the finger of one hand. Sandrine Alexis, Veronic Di Caire or Liane Foly are the best known. The woman who paved the way for them is Chantal Gallia. The impersonator and comedian made a name for herself in the 70s. She died on Sunday at the age of 65. “We have the great sadness to announce this Sunday July 10, 2022 the death of Chantal Gallia, which occurred today following a STROKE”, wrote her relatives in a post on Facebook. “Chantal’s talent for singing, imitating others, making us laugh, moving us, was extraordinary”. Born in Constantne in Algeria in 1956, Chantal Halimi, known as Chantal Gallia, had met with success in the 70s and 80s. She had participated in numerous TV shows: “L’académie des neuf”, “Numéro un” or “Les 20 hour games”. In 1989, she even hosted a short program called “Gallia d’la joie” on Antenne 2, the former name of France 2. Chantal Gallia had many female voices to her credit: the singers Régine, Dalida, Mireille Mathieu, Line Renaud, Sheila, Jane Birkin, Nana Mouskouri, France Gall, Chantal Goya and Petula Clark; actress Brigitte Bardot; the journalists Anne Sinclair, Christine Ockrent or Eve Ruggieri; announcer Denise Fabre. She also imitated many men: François Mitterrand, Valéry Giscard d’Estaing or Georges Marchais for the politicians, Claude François, Johnny Hallyday or Dave for the singers. Chantal Gallia had put an end to her career at the birth of her daughter.