Jean Seberg: The Tragic Victim of the FBI’s Cointelpro Program

By: Rylee Dahl

Jean Seberg was a talented and beautiful actress who starred in several iconic films in the 1960s. She was a fearless activist who supported various causes and believed in the power of her voice to effect change.

However, her life was cut short, and she suffered greatly at the hands of the FBI’s Cointelpro program. In this article, we’ll explore how the FBI targeted and victimized Jean Seberg, ultimately contributing to her tragic demise.

Early Life and Career

Jean Seberg was born in Iowa in 1938 and began acting at a young age. Seberg was revered as being innately compassionate and aware of racial prejudices around her. Not long after she left home to begin her acting career, she found herself in Paris as a part of the esteemed film “Breathless.” From then on, she remained in France for most of her life, traveling otherwise to shoot movies.

She gained international fame in 1957 when she starred in the French film “Bonjour Tristesse.” She quickly became a darling of the French New Wave and went on to star in several other films, including “Lilith.” Seberg was not only an actress but also an activist who supported various civil rights causes.

In 1968 while married to her second husband, Romain Gary, Seberg met Hakim Jamal, civil rights activist and cousin of Malcolm X, who introduced her to the Black Panther Party. Her association with the Black Panthers led to the FBI’s involvement through their Cointelpro program.

The FBI’s Targeting Begins

The FBI began targeting Seberg in the 1960s because of her support for civil rights and her donations to the Black Panther Party. The agency saw her as a threat to national security and used illegal and unethical tactics to disrupt her life. They wiretapped her phone, placed her under surveillance, and leaked false stories to the media about her personal life. They even went so far as to plant false stories about her having an affair with a Black Panther member and becoming pregnant with his child.

The FBI’s Counterintelligence Program was devised to discredit U.S. political movements through spying, sometimes consisting of illegal activities, in hopes to dismantle counter-culture rebels. The FBI sought to smear Jean Seberg’s name and in one attempt, spread libel to the press that lead to extreme tragedy.

The Smear Campaign Takes Its Toll

While Seberg was pregnant with her second child, a slanderous article claimed the father of the baby was Hakim Jamal. She was so distraught and on edge that she gave birth prematurely only for her daughter to pass two days later. There was an open casket at the funeral to reveal the baby’s skin color as white. Since then, her husbands and lovers stated that her mental health deteriorated as the harassment continued.

The FBI’s smear campaign took a toll on Seberg’s mental health and personal life. The false stories about her pregnancy caused her to have a miscarriage, and the stress of the surveillance and harassment led to a nervous breakdown. The FBI’s actions also led to her being ostracized from Hollywood and the film industry, which affected her career and finances.

Tragic End

The FBI’s harassment of Seberg continued for years, and she never fully recovered from the trauma. In 1979, after reportedly going missing for ten days, Seberg was found dead in the back seat of her small, white Renault in Paris. She left a note reading “Forgive me. I can no longer live with my nerves.” While her death was ruled a suicide, many believe that the FBI’s actions contributed to her tragic end. Later, the FBI admitted to intentional defamation of Seberg under the Freedom of Information Act.

Jean Seberg’s Legacy

Jean Seberg’s tragic story is a reminder of the dangers of government surveillance and the importance of protecting civil liberties. Her life and career were cut short, and she suffered greatly because of the FBI’s illegal and unethical actions.

Jean Seberg’s legacy lives on through her films and activism, as well as through the biographical film “Seberg” (2019), which stars Kristen Stewart in the title role. The film portrays Seberg’s life and career, as well as the FBI’s campaign of harassment against her. While some have criticized the film for taking creative liberties with Seberg’s story, it has also been praised for bringing attention to her tragic story.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, Jean Seberg was a victim of the FBI’s Cointelpro program, which targeted her because of her activism and support for civil rights. The agency’s harassment and smear campaign caused her to suffer greatly and contributed to her tragic demise. We must remember her story and fight against government surveillance and the violation of civil liberties.