French Cinema Legend Brigitte Bardot Dead at 91

28 December 2025

Brigitte Bardot in 1963.John Kisch Archive / Getty Images file

Brigitte Bardot, the luminous French actress whose name became synonymous with a transformative era in film and popular culture, has died at the age of 91, her foundation said on Sunday, closing a life that stretched from cinematic revolution to impassioned advocacy for animals and a later life marked by controversy and complexity.

Bardot’s death was confirmed by The Brigitte Bardot Foundation, which said she was a world-renowned actress and singer who chose to walk away from the dazzling lights of the film industry to devote her life and energy to the protection and welfare of animals, a cause that animated her in equal measure with the fame she once knew. The Brigitte Bardot Foundation’s announcement did not specify the time or exact place of her death, but it was widely reported that she passed at her long-time home in Saint-Tropez in southern France at the end of December 2025, marking the end of an era for a figure whose life and legacy captivated and divided audiences around the world.

Born Brigitte Anne-Marie Bardot in Paris on September 28, 1934, she first entered the public eye as a young model in her teens, appearing on the cover of fashion magazines and quickly becoming a striking presence because of her distinctive looks and charismatic aura. As a film actress, Bardot exploded into international fame with her breakout role in And God Created Woman in 1956, a provocative performance that challenged conventional portrayals of female characters and helped redefine sexual expression in cinema. With tousled hair, expressive eyes and a raw immediacy on screen, she embodied a freedom that resonated with audiences in the post-war years and positioned her as a global sex symbol.

Over a film career that spanned two decades, Bardot appeared in nearly 50 films, becoming one of the most recognizable and talked-about actresses of her generation. Yet behind the glamour and international acclaim was a woman who often spoke candidly about the isolating nature of fame. She later described her experience in the spotlight as grueling and draining, reflecting that the adulation and attention she received often felt overwhelming and imprisoning rather than liberating, a sentiment that informed her eventual retreat from public life.

In 1973, at the height of her popularity, Bardot made the striking decision to walk away from acting, withdrawing from the world that had made her a star and turning her attention toward activism, specifically the defense and protection of animals. Her passion for animal welfare became the defining mission of her later life. In 1986, she established The Brigitte Bardot Foundation for the Welfare and Protection of Animals, channeling her fame and personal resources into efforts to combat cruelty in industries ranging from fur farming to vivisection and advocating for humane treatment across France and beyond. Bardot often articulated her deep empathy for animals, once saying that after giving her beauty and vitality to men earlier in life, she would devote her wisdom and experience to animals.

Bardot’s activism was far from quiet. She took on high-profile campaigns, spoke out passionately in support of animal rights, and supported like-minded activists. Her foundation became a respected and influential voice in animal welfare circles, credited with driving public awareness and contributing to policy debates. Leaders of animal rights organizations, including France’s oldest animal welfare society, paid tribute to Bardot’s tireless commitment, noting that her efforts helped change attitudes and achieve significant advances in the protection of animals.

Yet Bardot’s life was not without contention. In her later years, she became known for outspoken and controversial political views, particularly on topics related to immigration and national identity. Over time, her public remarks on these subjects, including critiques of religious and cultural practices, led to legal convictions for inciting racial hatred in France. These episodes complicated her legacy, drawing sharp criticism from many who saw her statements as divisive while others defended her right to express unconventional opinions. Regardless, this aspect of her public persona ensured that discussions of her life and influence were never straightforward.

Despite the controversies, Bardot’s impact on film, fashion and cultural history is indisputable. She became an emblem of a particular moment in cinema, a time when narratives around sex, identity and personal freedom were being reimagined and her image, famously associated with the breezy glamour of 1960s France, continues to animate retrospectives, documentaries and artistic retrospection around the world. French President Emmanuel Macron mourned her passing as that of a “legend of the century,” a testament to her enduring stature in both her home country and global culture.

In sculpture and symbol as well as on screen, Bardot left her mark. In the late 1960s, her likeness was chosen for a bust of Marianne, the allegorical representation of the French Republic’s values, further cementing her place in the collective cultural memory of France. Her influence was not limited to cinema; it extended into the realms of fashion and music, where her signature style and presence inspired generations.

As tributes pour in from friends, collaborators and admirers across continents, many recall Bardot not merely for her onscreen magnetism but for her fierce independence and the bold choices that defined her life. She was a woman who lived on her own terms, embracing the spotlight but also retreating from it when it no longer served her sense of purpose. Bardot’s story is one of remarkable transformation, from global star to indefatigable advocate and her passing closes a chapter on a life that was as luminous as it was complex.