Brigitte Bardot, the iconic French actress who transitioned from a global sex symbol of the 1950s and 60s to a fervent animal rights activist, has died at the age of 91. Her passing was confirmed by Bruno Jacquelin of the Brigitte Bardot Foundation for the Protection of Animals, who stated she died at her home in southern France. The cause of death was not immediately disclosed, and details regarding funeral arrangements remain pending.
Bardot rose to international fame with her provocative role as a sexually liberated teen bride in Roger Vadim’s 1956 film “And God Created Woman.” This cinematic portrayal, featuring her dancing nude on tables, ignited a scandal and cemented her status as a symbol of burgeoning post-war hedonism and sexual freedom. Her distinctive tousled blonde hair, voluptuous figure, and rebellious pout made her one of France’s most recognizable stars, embodying a nation shedding its bourgeois constraints.
Her widespread appeal was such that in 1969, Bardot’s features were chosen to model “Marianne,” the national emblem of France. Her likeness adorned statues, postage stamps, and even coins, underscoring her profound cultural impact. Throughout a career spanning 28 films, Bardot’s screen presence, though sometimes critiqued for its acting depth, was undeniably captivating, often showcasing her physical allure in an era of shifting societal norms.
Following her retirement from cinema at 39 in 1973, Bardot embarked on a second, equally sensational career as a militant animal rights activist. She dedicated her life to campaigning against animal cruelty, traveling to the Arctic to expose the slaughter of baby seals, condemning laboratory experiments, and opposing the use of animals in space exploration. Her unwavering commitment to animal welfare earned her considerable respect, culminating in the prestigious Legion of Honor award in 1985. “Man is an insatiable predator,” Bardot declared in 2007, emphasizing her disregard for past fame in the face of animal suffering.
However, Bardot’s later years saw her public image become increasingly controversial due to her outspoken far-right political views and anti-immigrant sentiments. She frequently decried the influx of immigrants into France, particularly Muslims, and openly criticized practices such as the ritual slaughter of sheep during Eid al-Adha. These pronouncements led to her conviction five times in French courts for inciting racial hatred, significantly eroding her broad public support.
Her political alignment was further solidified by her 1992 marriage to Bernard d’Ormale, a former adviser to Jean-Marie Le Pen, the founder of the far-right National Front party. Bardot publicly praised Le Pen as a “lovely, intelligent man” and later endorsed his daughter, Marine Le Pen, in her unsuccessful bid for the French presidency in 2012. These associations cemented her position within the nationalist movement, alienating many who once admired her.
Bardot also ignited controversy during the MeToo movement in 2018, dismissing many actors protesting sexual harassment as “hypocritical” and “ridiculous.” She contended that many actresses actively flirted with producers to secure roles, stating she had never been a victim of harassment and found it “charming to be told that I was beautiful or that I had a nice little ass.” These remarks drew widespread condemnation for their perceived insensitivity and victim-blaming.
Born Brigitte Anne-Marie Bardot on September 28, 1934, into a wealthy industrialist family, her childhood was described as “difficult,” marked by a strict disciplinarian father. Discovered at 14 after appearing on the cover of Elle magazine, her potential for provocative sensuality was first recognized by her then-husband, Roger Vadim. Despite her privileged background, Bardot struggled profoundly with the intense public scrutiny that accompanied her fame.
The relentless paparazzi attention took a heavy toll on her personal life, contributing to a suicide attempt following the birth of her only child, Nicolas, in 1960. She later relinquished custody of her son, admitting to chronic depression and an unpreparedness for motherhood, famously likening her pregnancy to “a tumor growing inside me.” Her tumultuous personal relationships, including three divorces before her final marriage, were often played out under the harsh glare of the media.
Bardot’s film career, while iconic, was not her passion. She once stated, “It was never a great passion of mine. And it can be deadly sometimes. Marilyn (Monroe) perished because of it.” Upon her retirement, she sold off movie memorabilia and jewelry to fund her animal foundation, fully embracing her new mission. Her activism extended globally, from urging South Korea to ban dog meat sales to campaigning against centuries-old European sporting traditions involving animals.
Despite her dedication to animal welfare, her increasingly militant and racially charged rhetoric continued to generate headlines and public backlash. Statues of Marianne modeled after her were removed from several towns in 1997 due to her anti-immigrant comments, and she received death threats for advocating a ban on horse meat sales. Bardot often expressed a deep identification with the animals she sought to protect, stating, “I can understand hunted animals because of the way I was treated. What happened to me was inhuman.”
Brigitte Bardot leaves behind a complex and indelible legacy: a screen legend who captivated the world with her beauty and rebellious spirit, and a passionate advocate for animals whose later pronouncements often sparked outrage. Her life mirrored the profound cultural shifts of the 20th century, from sexual liberation to the rise of identity politics, making her an enduring, albeit controversial, figure in French and global history.
