French film legend Brigitte Bardot has been forced to deny false reports claiming she had died. The 91-year-old actress took to social media to assure fans she is alive and well.
In a post on her X (formerly Twitter) account, Bardot wrote: 'I don't know which imbecile launched this fake news tonight about my [death] but know that I am well and that I have no intention of taking my leave.' The statement came after French media reported she had been hospitalised for three weeks in Toulon near her Saint-Tropez home.
According to the newspaper Var-matin, Bardot underwent surgery for a 'serious illness', though the exact nature was not confirmed. Following these reports, a social media account called 'Aqababe' run by influencer Aniss Zitouni posted that Bardot had died, calling her 'an icon' who 'left behind an unforgettable legacy'. The post has since been deleted.
Bardot was previously treated for respiratory problems in 2023 due to heat. Her husband Bernard d'Ormale told Var-matin at the time that she had experienced 'a moment of respiratory distraction' common for her age.
Born in Paris, Bardot rose to fame in the 1956 film And God Created Woman and retired from acting in 1973. She is known for her animal rights activism and has been married four times, currently to businessman Bernard d'Ormale.
