PARIS — December 28, 2025
Brigitte Bardot, the trailblazing French actress who became an international sex symbol in the 1950s and 1960s before dedicating her life to animal rights advocacy, has died at the age of 91.
The Brigitte Bardot Foundation announced her passing on Sunday, stating with “immense sadness” the death of its founder and president. The statement highlighted Bardot’s decision to abandon her prestigious acting and singing career to focus on animal welfare. No cause of death or specific location was provided, though reports indicate she passed at her home in southern France.
Born Brigitte Anne-Marie Bardot on September 28, 1934, in Paris to a conservative family, she initially trained in ballet before transitioning to modeling as a teenager. Her beauty caught the eye of filmmakers, launching a career that would redefine cinematic glamour despite initial family opposition.
Bardot skyrocketed to global fame with the 1956 film And God Created Woman, directed by her then-husband Roger Vadim. The movie’s bold portrayal of sensuality challenged conventions and established her as a symbol of sexual liberation. Over the next two decades, she starred in nearly 50 films, earning acclaim for roles in works like Jean-Luc Godard’s Contempt and Louis Malle’s Viva Maria!. Her tousled hair, smoky eyes, and unapologetic charisma influenced fashion, music, and culture worldwide.
Beyond acting, Bardot enjoyed success as a singer, collaborating with notable artists and releasing popular French pop tracks.
At the peak of her stardom, Bardot abruptly retired from filmmaking in 1973 at age 39, citing the pressures of fame. She redirected her energy toward animal protection, founding the Brigitte Bardot Foundation in 1986. The organization campaigned against seal hunting, animal cruelty, and other issues, earning her recognition as a passionate advocate.
Bardot’s personal life, marked by multiple marriages and high-profile relationships, often made headlines. In later years, some of her public statements drew controversy.
Her legacy spans cinema, women’s empowerment, and animal rights, inspiring generations. French President Emmanuel Macron described her as embodying “a life of freedom.”
