‘Mission: Impossible’ Star, 61, Opens Up About Her Cosmetic Surgery: ‘It’s a Failure’

At 27, Emmanuelle Béart chose cosmetic surgery. Today, she bitterly regrets it. Read on to discover the full story behind her decision and the lasting consequences it had on her life.

When she was just 27 years old, Emmanuelle Béart turned to plastic surgery in an attempt to change her appearance. In a recent interview, the acclaimed actress shared rare and heartfelt insights into the failed procedure she now views as a major mistake.

Emmanuelle Béart Speaks Out About Her “Botched” Plastic Surgery

In addition to being famous for her many roles on the big screen, Emmanuelle Béart is the daughter of Italo-Greek actress Geneviève Galéa and French singer Guy Béart. Over the years, she has become a celebrated figure in French cinema, thanks to her powerful and memorable performances.

Indeed, the actress has followed a remarkable path, rising to become nothing short of a legend. Today, she’s a household name and continues to captivate audiences with her undeniable charisma.

Fans will no doubt remember some of her most iconic roles. “La Belle Noiseuse,” “A Heart in Winter,” and “Mission: Impossible” are just a few of the many films that helped cement her status among the greats of French cinema.

But while she’s known for her exceptional acting skills, Emmanuelle has also long been admired for her striking beauty. In her youth, she was considered one of the most beautiful women of her generation—a true symbol of elegance and allure.

Despite her stunning looks, Emmanuelle still turned to plastic surgery. As she neared her thirties, she sadly gave in to the idea of changing her appearance—but the result was deeply disappointing.

“When it comes to reshaping the face or body, I had my lips done when I was 27. That’s no secret to anyone: it was a failure,” she confessed in an interview with Le Monde.

In that same interview, the actress revealed what pushed her to make the decision. “Again, it comes back to a sense of lacking. We could even call it despair—feeling the need to become someone else in order to fully exist, or to look like the person we wish we were,” she explained.

She continued:

“If someone, man or woman, has something redone, it’s because, for a reason that’s nobody’s business, they can’t live with it, and that part of their body is no longer bearable. So, either we get help and we have the strength to fight it, or we go ahead and take action. I’ve heard testimonies from women saying that it made their lives more beautiful, easier. So much the better. There are others who have been deeply affected by it, and I’m one of them.”

A Lesson She’ll Never Forget

That botched procedure left a mark on Emmanuelle — not just physically, but emotionally. It also changed her entire perspective on cosmetic surgery.

“Today, I could say: I’m against cosmetic surgery. Because it’s a serious act, the consequences of which we don’t necessarily evaluate. And it’s an act that touches our soul,” she admitted.

Still, the actress refuses to judge those who choose to go down that road—even if it brought her personal regret.

“But I would never be so ‘disgusting’ as to judge someone who had it done. I would say that it’s their problem. And I find it more interesting and humane to say that this person lacked confidence,” she said.

That single failed operation was enough to leave her utterly put off by anything involving needles.

“Obviously, if I had liked my mouth, I would never have wanted to do it again. But, frankly, I’m not about to go back, because I had such a shock, with all that, and under the gaze of others. It was terrible. Today, just the idea of ​​an injection strikes me, she revealed.

But she added with nuance:

“But at the same time, I tell myself that it’s not easy to age, in this profession, when you’re a woman. Especially in cinema. So there are some who will completely turn to drugs, others who will sink into alcohol. But everyone will do it, my God, in their own way, and as best they can. I myself don’t know how I’ll manage to get through these stages. Theater is a salvation, because there isn’t this physical problem. What matters is an aura, what I love so much in human beings: light.”

The Strong Influence of Her Father

If it hadn’t been for Guy Béart, the world might never have heard of Emmanuelle. It was her father—stern and authoritarian—who pushed her toward acting.

“At the age when I wanted to become a majorette in Australia, he told me: ‘You will be an actress .’ He had the producer Gérard Lebovici come to dinner, telling him that I would be an actress even though I had no desire to,” she recalled.

Raised with strict discipline, Emmanuelle had to conform to her father’s rules from a young age. “He was uncompromising, quite authoritarian, teaching us specific things. It was important to him that a child knew how to be bored, so he sent us to our rooms (…) He said that there had to be absolute rules and permanent exceptions. When you’re 8 years old… You also had to write down everything he told us,” she explained.

And when she started changing her appearance, she had to face her father’s blunt criticisms. “He said to me: ‘Stop making yourself ugly.’ He didn’t understand why I was going against my face . He didn’t agree with my positions. He was afraid that it would destroy my career. We were often in confrontation about my profession,” she added.

In addition to being a renowned actress, Emmanuelle is, above all, a devoted mother. She has three children, all of whom she has raised and loved with all her heart.

Her daughter Nelly, born from her relationship with actor Daniel Auteuil, is now a grown woman. Like her mother, she chose a path in the world of cinema—but behind the scenes, as a producer.

Her son Yohann, whom she shares with musician David Moreau, is also an adult. Unlike his sister, he took a very different route and became an anthropologist.

Last but not least, Surifel, the youngest of the family, is now a handsome teenager. Emmanuelle adopted him in 2010 with her ex-partner Michael Cohen when he was just eight months old.