The global animal rights community is mourning the loss of French cinematic legend Brigitte Bardot, who passed away at age 91. Ingrid Newkirk, founder of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), issued a heartfelt tribute celebrating Bardot’s transformative journey from international screen icon to one of history’s most influential animal welfare advocates.
Newkirk characterized Bardot as ‘an angel for animals’ who consistently leveraged her celebrity status to champion animal protection causes. The PETA founder revealed that Bardot had personally participated in numerous organizational campaigns throughout her advocacy career, including a successful 2013 initiative that persuaded luxury British retailer Fortnum & Mason to cease sales of foie gras.
Bardot’s remarkable transition from entertainment to activism began in 1973 when she voluntarily retired from her illustrious film career at its peak. She relocated permanently to her Saint-Tropez residence on the French Riviera, where she established what would become her life’s work: the Brigitte Bardot Foundation for animal protection in 1986.
Her advocacy portfolio encompassed diverse and impactful campaigns spanning several decades. She emerged as a vocal protector of baby seals and elephants, campaigned vigorously against ritual animal sacrifice practices, and demanded the closure of horse slaughterhouses. Newkirk emphasized that Bardot often stated she ‘truly bloomed’ through her animal protection work, and called upon the public to honor her memory by performing acts of kindness toward animals.