Brigitte Bardot, one of the most recognisable figures in French cinema and a defining symbol of 20th-century popular culture, has died at the age of 91. Her death was announced by the Brigitte Bardot Foundation, the animal welfare organisation she created after walking away from fame at the height of her career. She died in southern France, according to the foundation, which did not disclose a cause of death.
Rising to fame in the 1950s, Brigitte Bardot had a major impact on the image of women on screen. Her role in And God Created Women (1956), which was directed by her husband at the time, Roger Vadim, shocked audiences and made Bardot an international star, while moving the film away from its more conservative norms.
Bardot quickly earned a place as a global icon with signature tousled blonde hair and smoky eyeliner. She starred in nearly 50 films, including The Truth, Contempt, Viva Maria!, and The Bear and the Doll. Although her acting range was questioned by many critics, the impact Bardot had on French culture was very much apparent, as she embodied France shaking off post-war restraint and taking on modernity.
However, her influence extended beyond the realm of cinema. In 1969, her features were chosen as the model for Marianne, the national symbol for the French Republic, which would appear on stamps, statues and currency.
However, Bardot’s fame came at a cost, with the actress constantly expressing discomfort with celebrity life and the intrusive nature of the media. She struggled with depression and attempted suicide during the height of her fame, blaming the invasive media for stripping her of privacy. At just 39 years old, she retired from film, retreating to her home in Saint-Tropez.
After her retirement, she embarked on a new journey. Bardot soon established herself as one of Europe’s most outspoken animal rights activists. In 1986, she founded the Brigitte Bardot Foundation, dedicating her wealth and fame towards the protection of animals. She spearheaded campaigns against seal hunting, animal testing, the dog meat trade, and various blood sports, extending her advocacy beyond the borders of France.
Her work earned recognition, including the Legion of Honour, France’s highest civilian award. Bardot described her mission as a moral obligation, frequently stating that animals had no voice and depended on human defenders. She became a vegetarian and donated much of her former fortune to support animal welfare causes worldwide.
However, Bardot’s later years also constituted much controversy. Her opposition to ritual slaughter practices, particularly within Muslim communities, led to repeated convictions for inciting racial hatred. She was fined multiple times by French courts. Her marriage to Bernard d’Ormale, a former adviser to National Front leader Jean-Marie Le Pen, deepened public concern about her political stance.
Bardot openly supported Marine Le Pen and criticised immigration. In retaliation, several towns removed Marianne statues modelled on her likeness in protest. Nevertheless, Bardot remained unapologetic, asserting that her devotion to animal protection drove her views.
French President Emmanuel Macron described her as a “legend of the century”, praising her artistic brilliance and passion for animals. Marine Le Pen hailed her as an “exceptional woman”, while animal welfare groups acknowledged her as a tireless advocate for their causes.
Born in Paris in 1934 to a wealthy family, Bardot initially trained as a ballerina before being discovered as a teenager on the cover of Elle magazine. She was married four times and had one son, Nicolas, with actor Jacques Charrier.
Admired, criticised, and celebrated, Bardot remained fiercely herself until the end, as a figure who, for better or worse, shaped the cultural history of modern France.
