Brigitte Bardot, the iconic French actress who defined 1960s cinema as a global sex symbol before reinventing herself as a militant animal rights activist, has died at the age of 91.
A Life in the Spotlight: From Screen Siren to National Emblem
Bruno Jacquelin, a representative of the Brigitte Bardot Foundation for the protection of animals, confirmed to The Associated Press that she passed away at her home in southern France. No cause of death was provided, and arrangements for funeral services are yet to be announced. Bardot had been hospitalised last month.
Her rise to international fame was meteoric. In 1956, her role as a sexualised teen bride in "And God Created Woman", directed by her then-husband Roger Vadim, caused a scandal and catapulted her to stardom. With her tousled blonde hair and provocative screen presence, she became a symbol of France's break from post-war conservatism.
Her cultural impact was so profound that in 1969, her features were chosen as the model for Marianne, the national emblem of France, appearing on statues and stamps. Over a career spanning roughly 28 films, Bardot's persona—a blend of innocence and raw sensuality—made her one of the most recognisable faces of the 20th century.
A Second Act: Militant Advocacy and Political Controversy
In 1973, at the age of 39, Bardot retired from film and embarked on a second, equally forceful career as an animal rights lobbyist. She sold memorabilia to fund her foundation and campaigned relentlessly against seal clubbing, laboratory testing on animals, and the consumption of dog meat.
"Man is an insatiable predator," she told the AP in 2007. "I don't care about my past glory. That means nothing in the face of an animal that suffers." Her efforts earned her the Legion of Honour in 1985.
However, her later years were marred by controversy as her activism became intertwined with far-right political views. She was convicted five times for inciting racial hatred, frequently targeting Muslim immigration and religious practices like the ritual slaughter of sheep. Her 1992 marriage to Bernard d'Ormale, an adviser to the National Front's Jean-Marie Le Pen, cemented this shift. She also courted criticism for dismissing the #MeToo movement as "hypocritical" in 2018.
A Complex Legacy: Privilege, Pain and the Paparazzi
Born into wealth on 28 September 1934, Bardot's childhood was strict and "difficult." Discovered at 14, her life was never truly private. Her tumultuous personal life, including three marriages and a highly publicised affair with co-star Jean-Louis Trintignant, fuelled constant media attention.
She described her pregnancy with her only son, Nicolas, as "a tumor growing inside me" and later gave up custody, citing chronic depression. The intrusive paparazzi, she claimed, contributed to a suicide attempt. "What happened to me was inhuman. I was constantly surrounded by the world press," she said, drawing a parallel with the hunted animals she sought to protect.
While films like Jean-Luc Godard's "Contempt" (1963) showcased her talent, she felt her image overshadowed her acting. "It's an embarrassment to have acted so badly," she once remarked. Her legacy is thus a dual one: an enduring screen icon who challenged societal norms, and a divisive but fiercely dedicated activist whose voice for animals remained strident until the end.
