PARIS — Brigitte Bardot, the legendary French actress who revolutionized cinematic sexuality in the 1950s before transforming into a militant animal rights advocate and controversial far-right sympathizer, passed away at age 91. Her death occurred Sunday at her residence in southern France, as confirmed by Bruno Jacquelin of the Brigitte Bardot Foundation for animal protection. No cause of death was disclosed, and funeral arrangements remain pending following her recent hospitalization.
Bardot achieved global stardom through her groundbreaking performance in Roger Vadim’s 1956 film “And God Created Woman,” where her portrayal of a sexually liberated teen bride challenged conventional morality and established her as an international symbol of erotic freedom. Her distinctive combination of tousled blonde hair, voluptuous figure, and provocative irreverence made her one of France’s most recognizable cultural exports during her career spanning over two dozen films.
In a remarkable testament to her cultural significance, Bardot’s features were selected in 1969 to model for “Marianne,” the national emblem of France that appears on official government seals, statues, and currency. French President Emmanuel Macron acknowledged her passing with a tribute on social media, stating “We are mourning a legend.”
Following her retirement from cinema at age 39 in 1973, Bardot underwent a dramatic reinvention as an animal rights activist. She established her foundation, sold personal jewelry and memorabilia to fund animal protection efforts, and campaigned internationally against seal hunting, laboratory animal testing, and traditional slaughter practices. Her activism earned her France’s Legion of Honor in 1985, though her later statements regarding Muslim religious practices resulted in multiple convictions for inciting racial hatred.
Bardot’s political alignment shifted noticeably following her 1992 marriage to Bernard d’Ormale, an adviser to far-right National Front leader Jean-Marie Le Pen. She subsequently expressed support for Marine Le Pen’s presidential campaigns and made controversial statements regarding immigration and the #MeToo movement, which she characterized as hypocritical.
Despite her complex legacy, environmental campaigner Paul Watson, who worked alongside Bardot for five decades, noted that “the animals of this world lost a wonderful friend today.” Her life story remains a fascinating narrative of transformation from international sex symbol to uncompromising activist, marked by both admiration and controversy across different phases of her public existence.