French screen legend Brigitte Bardot has personally moved to calm her global fanbase, issuing a statement through her foundation to counter what it calls "false information" circulating about her health. The 91-year-old icon is currently in recovery following a hospital stay.
Foundation urges respect for privacy amid recovery
The statement, released on Monday 1st December 2025, directly addresses concerns that have spread in recent days. "Ms Brigitte Bardot would like to remind everyone that she is currently recovering, that she would appreciate it if people would respect her privacy, and invites everyone to calm down," the message read.
It contained a personal note from the actor herself for her genuine well-wishers: "Ms Bardot wishes to reassure those who are genuinely concerned about her. She sends them this message: 'I send my love to you all.'"
This official communication follows reports in French media last week that Bardot had been receiving hospital treatment for three weeks in Toulon, southern France. The city is near her long-time home in Saint-Tropez.
Social media rumours spark swift denial
The need for clarification arose after a celebrity news account on X (formerly Twitter), run by influencer Aniss Zitouni and known as "Aqababe", posted a now-deleted claim that Bardot had passed away. The post falsely stated, "An icon has passed away, leaving behind an unforgettable legacy and an eternal imprint on the hearts of the French."
This is not the first time Bardot has had to confront false rumours about her death. Back in October 2025, her official X account posted a fiery rebuttal: "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."
According to the newspaper Var-matin, Bardot's recent hospitalisation was connected to recovery from a surgical procedure undertaken in October for a "serious illness", though the precise nature of the condition was not disclosed.
A life dedicated to animal welfare after stardom
Bardot, who shot to international fame in the 1950s and 60s with films like And God Created Woman, retired from acting in the 1970s. She subsequently dedicated her life to animal rights activism, founding the Brigitte Bardot Foundation which issued the recent statement.
Her health has been a topic of concern for supporters in recent years. In 2023, she was treated for respiratory problems exacerbated by high temperatures. Her husband, Bernard d’Ormale, explained at the time that such episodes could be expected at her age, noting, "Like all people of a certain age, she can no longer bear the heat."
The latest statement successfully aims to quell the unfounded speculation, reaffirming that the cinematic icon is focusing on her recuperation and desires peace during this private time.
