The world of cinema has lost one of its most iconic stars. Brigitte Bardot, the French actress and global sex symbol of the 1950s and 60s, has died at the age of 91. The news was confirmed on Saturday, 28 December 2025.
A Cultural Icon and Screen Legend
Bardot, often referred to simply by her initials 'BB', rose to international fame as a defining figure of post-war European cinema. Her breakthrough role came in the 1956 film And God Created Woman, directed by Roger Vadim, which catapulted her to stardom and cemented her status as a symbol of liberated sexuality and effortless style.
Her influence extended far beyond the silver screen, shaping fashion, beauty standards, and popular culture for decades. With her blonde bouffant hair, feline eyeliner, and captivating on-screen presence, she became an archetype of the 'gamine' beauty. Over her career, she starred in more than 40 films, working with renowned directors such as Jean-Luc Godard and Louis Malle.
From Starlet to Activist
In a surprising move at the height of her fame, Bardot retired from acting in 1973 at the age of 39. She subsequently dedicated her life to animal rights activism, founding the Brigitte Bardot Foundation for the welfare and protection of animals in 1986. Her later years were often marked by her outspoken and sometimes controversial campaigns against animal cruelty, which remained her primary public focus.
Despite stepping away from film, her legacy as a cinematic icon never faded. Her image and films continue to be celebrated and analysed as pivotal works of 20th-century popular culture. Tributes from across the film industry, fashion world, and from her native France are expected to pour in following the announcement of her passing.
A Lasting Legacy
The death of Brigitte Bardot marks the end of an era. She was one of the last surviving major stars from the golden age of European cinema and a unique cultural export who defined French allure for international audiences. Her journey from screen siren to dedicated activist showcased a multifaceted life that captivated the public for over seven decades.
Details regarding the cause of her death and funeral arrangements have not yet been released by her family or representatives. The world now pauses to remember the woman who was not just a movie star, but a phenomenon.
