Brigitte Bardot, Legendary French Actress and Activist, Dies Aged 91

Tributes have poured in following the death of Brigitte Bardot, the iconic French actress and singer who rose to global fame as a sex symbol before abandoning cinema to devote her life to animal rights activism. She died at the age of 91.

French president Emmanuel Macron said Bardot had “embodied a life of freedom” and described her as a figure of “universal brilliance”, calling her a “legend of the century” mourned by France.
Jordan Bardella, leader of Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally party, praised her as a woman of “conviction and character”, highlighting her patriotism and lifelong dedication to protecting animals.
Marine Le Pen also paid tribute, describing Bardot as exceptionally talented, courageous and deeply French, saying she would be greatly missed.

Her death was confirmed on Sunday by the Brigitte Bardot Foundation, which announced with “immense sadness” the passing of its founder and president. The statement did not specify the time or place of her death, noting that Bardot had chosen to leave behind a celebrated artistic career to focus entirely on animal welfare.

Bardot became an international star with the 1956 film And God Created Woman, directed by her then-husband Roger Vadim, which transformed her into a symbol of sensual freedom. Over the next two decades, she defined the image of the liberated, rebellious woman in postwar cinema. In the early 1970s, however, she retired from acting and became increasingly politically active.

Born in Paris in 1934 into a well-off Catholic family, Bardot trained as a ballet dancer and earned a place at the Conservatoire de Paris. She also worked as a fashion model, appearing on the cover of Elle at just 15, which led to early film roles. After marrying Vadim in 1952, she gradually gained prominence, including a breakthrough role opposite Dirk Bogarde in Doctor at Sea.

Her portrayal of an uninhibited young woman in And God Created Woman made her an international icon. She went on to star in major French films such as The Truth, Very Private Affair and Godard’s Contempt, as well as Hollywood productions including Viva Maria! and Shalako.

Alongside acting, Bardot pursued a music career. She recorded the original version of Serge Gainsbourg’s Je T’Aime… Moi Non Plus, written during their affair, but asked him not to release it. Gainsbourg later re-recorded the song with Jane Birkin, turning it into a worldwide hit.

Despite her fame, Bardot struggled with celebrity life. In a 1996 interview, she said she never felt prepared for stardom. She retired from acting in 1973 at the age of 39, focusing instead on animal rights. She joined protests against seal hunting and founded the Brigitte Bardot Foundation in 1986.

Her activism included campaigning against dog killings in Romania, dolphin hunting in the Faroe Islands and animal slaughter in Australia. However, her public statements increasingly courted controversy. She repeatedly criticised immigration, religious slaughter practices and what she called the “Islamisation” of France. These views led to several convictions for inciting racial hatred.

Bardot was a long-time supporter of France’s Front National, later renamed National Rally, and openly aligned herself with its positions on immigration and national identity.

She was married four times and had one son, Nicolas, born in 1960. Her personal life included several high-profile relationships with leading cultural figures of her era.

Brigitte Bardot leaves behind a complex legacy — celebrated for redefining femininity and freedom in cinema, revered by animal rights activists, and criticised for her controversial political views.