Brigitte Bardot, Iconic 1960s Sex Symbol and Animal Rights Advocate, Dies at 91

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Brigitte Bardot, a famous French actress who starred in many films in the 1960s and later became well-known for her work advocating for animal rights, has passed away at 91 years old.

Brigitte Bardot, the animal welfare advocate, died at her home in southern France on Sunday, according to Bruno Jacquelin of the Brigitte Bardot Foundation. The cause of death hasn’t been released, and details about the funeral are still pending. She had been in the hospital just last month, according to The Associated Press.

Brigitte Bardot became internationally famous with the 1956 film And God Created Woman, directed by her husband at the time, Roger Vadim. The film, known for its daring scenes, surprised viewers and quickly made Bardot a major sex symbol of the 20th century.

With her messy blonde hair, distinctive pout, and self-assured style, she became a beloved figure in French movies and culture. In 1969, she was honored with an iconic role – her image was chosen to represent Marianne, the symbol of France.

French President Emmanuel Macron paid tribute, writing on X, “We are mourning a legend.”

Her films, her voice, her dazzling fame, even just her initials – Brigitte Bardot represented a life lived with freedom. A symbol of France, she achieved worldwide recognition and touched all of our hearts. We mourn the loss of a 20th-century icon.

— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) December 28, 2025

Brigitte Bardot stopped acting in the 1970s and dedicated her life to protecting animals. She actively campaigned against the slaughter of baby seals, spoke out against testing on animals, and questioned certain traditional methods of animal slaughter. In a 2007 interview with The Associated Press, she explained, “Humans are relentless hunters. My past success isn’t important when I see an animal suffering—they’re defenseless and can’t speak for themselves.”

She became well-known for her work as an activist and received the Legion of Honor in 1985. Later, her strong opinions caused some disagreement and debate.

I was deeply saddened to learn about Brigitte Bardot’s later years. While I’ll always cherish her early films, it was hard to reconcile that image with the controversial views she began to express. She unfortunately became known for making statements that were critical of immigrants and Islam, and she even faced legal consequences – fines for inciting racial hatred, in fact. It was also disheartening to see her associating with far-right politicians like Marine Le Pen, and ultimately marrying someone who had ties to that same political movement, Bernard d’Ormale. It’s a complex and frankly, upsetting part of her story.

Brigitte Bardot was born on September 28, 1934, into a well-off family. From a young age, she trained in ballet and, by age 14, had already graced the cover of Elle magazine. Despite her privileged background, Bardot described her childhood as harsh, remembering instances where her father disciplined her with a horse whip.

Brigitte Bardot appeared in 28 films and experienced a lively personal life, including three marriages that were often covered by the press. Her relationships with husbands Roger Vadim, Jacques Charrier, and Gunther Sachs, as well as other public romances, consistently drew attention. She had one son, Nicolas, and later discussed the difficulties she faced as a young mother, including her struggles with depression. She once explained, “I was looking for roots then. I had none to offer.”

Brigitte Bardot first became famous for her looks, and while she received praise for her performance in the 1963 film Contempt, she largely became known for her beauty. She stopped acting at the young age of 39 and dedicated her life to animal welfare. She sold all her possessions to provide funding for her animal rights foundation and worked on campaigns worldwide, tackling problems like the dog meat trade in South Korea and keeping dolphins in captivity in the US.

Brigitte Bardot connected her experiences with animal activism to her own life, explaining, “I relate to animals who are pursued because of how I was treated. The attention I received from the press was relentless and felt cruel.”

Brigitte Bardot is remembered for a complicated legacy. She was a hugely popular movie star who embodied the style of her time, but also a dedicated animal rights activist whose strong views often caused debate.

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2025-12-28 15:15