Brigitte Bardot, one of the most iconic figures in 20th-century cinema and a global symbol of beauty and independence, has died at the age of 91, her longtime animal rights organization announced on Sunday. The Brigitte Bardot Foundation shared the news of her passing, though it did not immediately release details on the exact time, place, or cause of death.See More…
Bardot first rose to international fame in the 1950s and 1960s with her breakthrough role in the 1956 film And God Created Woman, directed by Roger Vadim. Her performance transformed her into a cultural phenomenon and helped redefine cinematic portrayals of female sexuality and independence after World War II. Over the course of her career, she appeared in around 50 films and became one of France’s most celebrated and controversial stars.
After retiring from acting in 1973 at the age of 39, Bardot redirected her fame toward animal rights activism. She founded the Brigitte Bardot Foundation in 1986, which worked for the protection and ethical treatment of animals worldwide. Her advocacy spanned campaigns against fur farming, bullfighting, dolphin hunts, and other practices she considered cruel.
Despite her celebrated career and humanitarian efforts, Bardot’s legacy was also marked by controversy in her later life. She became increasingly outspoken on political and social issues, particularly immigration and Islam in France, leading to multiple convictions for inciting racial hatred. These statements drew sharp criticism from civil liberties groups and many observers who felt they overshadowed elements of her earlier work.
Earlier in the final months of her life, Bardot faced health challenges, including a hospitalisation in October 2025 for surgery related to a serious illness. At the time, false reports of her death briefly circulated online — rumors she personally denied in October, stating she was “alive and doing well” despite health concerns.
Tributes have poured in from around the world following news of her death. Fans, fellow actors, animal rights supporters, and cultural commentators have reflected on Bardot’s influence on film, fashion, activism, and popular culture, even as debates continue about the more contentious aspects of her views and public statements.
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