Brigitte Bardot, the French film star, singer and later animal rights campaigner who became one of the defining cultural icons of the 20th century, has died at the age of 91. Her death was confirmed on Sunday by the Brigitte Bardot Foundation, which she founded and led for decades.
The foundation announced the news in a statement sent to Agence France-Presse, without disclosing the place or exact time of her passing. Tributes quickly followed from across France and beyond, reflecting her enduring influence on cinema, fashion and popular culture.
Bardot rose to international fame in 1956 with And God Created Woman, written and directed by her then husband, Roger Vadim. The film shocked audiences with its sensuality and transformed Bardot into a global symbol of sexual freedom and youthful rebellion.
Her portrayal of an uninhibited young woman in Saint-Tropez challenged conservative norms and redefined female sexuality on screen. Almost overnight, Bardot became the embodiment of the “sex kitten,” an image that would both elevate and burden her throughout her career.
Born in Paris in 1934, Bardot was raised in a traditional, well-off Catholic family. She initially trained as a ballet dancer and was accepted into the Conservatoire de Paris, before turning to fashion modelling as a teenager.
At just 15, she appeared on the cover of Elle magazine, an exposure that opened the door to cinema. During early film auditions, she met Roger Vadim, whom she married in 1952 shortly after turning 18.
Her early roles were modest but steadily increased her visibility. In 1955, she gained international attention opposite Dirk Bogarde in Doctor at Sea, a major box-office success in Britain.
The following year, And God Created Woman secured her place in cinematic history. Its success propelled Bardot to the forefront of French cinema and established her as a cultural phenomenon far beyond the screen.
Throughout the 1960s, Bardot starred in a series of acclaimed films. These included Henri-Georges Clouzot’s The Truth, Louis Malle’s Very Private Affair, and Jean-Luc Godard’s Contempt, one of her most artistically respected performances.
She also appeared in international productions, including Viva Maria! alongside Jeanne Moreau and the western Shalako with Sean Connery. At the same time, she pursued a parallel career in music.
One of her most famous recordings was the original version of Serge Gainsbourg’s Je T’Aime … Moi Non Plus. The song, written during their affair, was withheld at Bardot’s request and later became a worldwide hit when re-recorded with Jane Birkin.
Despite her immense success, Bardot struggled with the pressures of fame. She later described celebrity life as surreal and overwhelming, admitting she was never prepared for its intensity.
In 1973, aged just 39, she retired from acting after completing The Edifying and Joyous Story of Colinot. Her decision marked a dramatic withdrawal from the public life that had defined her adulthood.
From that point on, Bardot dedicated herself to animal rights activism. She protested against seal hunting in the late 1970s and founded the Brigitte Bardot Foundation in 1986 to campaign for animal welfare worldwide.
Through the foundation, she lobbied world leaders on issues ranging from dolphin hunting to dog culls and religious slaughter practices. Her activism earned her admiration, but her outspoken rhetoric often sparked controversy.
In later years, Bardot’s public statements grew increasingly polarising. She expressed far-right views, criticised immigration and Islam, and was convicted several times for inciting racial hatred.
Her support for France’s far-right National Front, now the National Rally, further divided public opinion. Critics argued that her political positions overshadowed her humanitarian work.
Bardot was married four times and had one son, Nicholas, born in 1960. Her personal life, like her career, was intensely scrutinised and widely publicised.
Her life traced an extraordinary arc, from global stardom and cultural myth to activism and controversy. Brigitte Bardot leaves behind a legacy that continues to provoke admiration, debate and reflection across generations.