Legendary French Actress and Global Icon Brigitte Bardot Passes Away at 91

The legendary French film actress, global pop culture icon, and former “sex symbol” Brigitte Bardot is no more. On Sunday (local time), her death was confirmed by the Brigitte Bardot Foundation, which she herself had established. She was 91 years old at the time of her death. The cause of death was not immediately disclosed.

Bardot gained international fame with the 1956 film And God Created Woman. The famous scene of her dancing the mambo barefoot not only turned her into a global star but also shattered the restrained image of women in the 1950s and introduced a new language of sexual freedom in Western cinema.

‘B.B.’ — The Birth of a Global Icon

In France, she was known simply by two letters—“B.B.” With her tousled blonde hair, fearless gaze, and indomitable presence, she became a symbol of modernity. The way she portrayed female sexuality in mainstream cinema was revolutionary for the society of that time.

At just 21 years old, her performance in And God Created Woman shook both audiences and critics. Directed by her husband Roger Vadim, the film featured Bardot as a free-spirited young woman who made her own choices, followed her own desires, and lived by her own decisions. This character turned her into a rebellious symbol for an entire generation.

Childhood, Modeling, and Entry into Cinema

Born on September 28, 1934, in Paris, Brigitte Anne-Marie Bardot grew up in an upper-middle-class Catholic family. As a child, she was shy, wore glasses, and was skilled in ballet. She began learning ballet at the age of seven and was a praised student at the Paris Conservatory.

At the age of 15, her modeling career began when she appeared on the cover of Elle magazine. That exposure led her into cinema. By the age of 16, she had become one of the most talked-about faces in Paris.

At the Peak of Fame, in the Depths of Loneliness

Despite her worldwide popularity, fame was suffocating for Bardot. She often said that she felt imprisoned within her own stardom. The joys of ordinary life, solitude, and normal relationships were all beyond her reach.

Four marriages, many high-profile romances, and deep depression became part of her personal life. It is known that she attempted suicide on her 26th birthday. Later, rumors of another suicide attempt also spread. Many years later, she said:

“No one can imagine how horrific that life was. I could not endure it anymore.”

Farewell to Acting

In 1973, at the age of just 42, Bardot bid farewell to the film world after acting in her final movie. Calling the film industry “rotten,” she said:

“I gave 20 years of my life to cinema. That is enough.”

She then moved to the French resort town of Saint-Tropez, where a new chapter of her life quietly began.

Pioneer of the Animal Rights Movement

After leaving acting, Bardot devoted herself entirely to animal rights activism. In 1986, she founded the Brigitte Bardot Foundation for the Welfare and Protection of Animals. She raised funds by auctioning her jewelry and memorabilia.

She spoke out strongly against whale hunting, animal abuse, and the use of animals in circuses. Once she said:

“I gave my beauty and youth to men. Now I will give my wisdom and experience to animals.”

In Saint-Tropez, she lived surrounded by cats, dogs, horses, and other animals. She found peace in the company of animals rather than humans.

Controversial Political Stances

However, in the later years of her life, Bardot’s image was tarnished by her political statements. Between 1997 and 2008, French courts fined her multiple times for comments about immigration, Islam, and homosexuality.

She openly supported Jean-Marie Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Front, and later Marine Le Pen. As a result, the once-beloved icon became a controversial figure.

Legacy and Evaluation

Despite all controversies, Brigitte Bardot’s cultural impact cannot be denied. She was not just an actress; she was the symbol of an era. Her role in reshaping ideas of female desire, freedom, and modernity is undeniable.

Feminist philosopher Simone de Beauvoir once wrote, “B.B. does not create scandals; she follows her instincts. That is her existence.”

Brigitte Bardot’s life was a coexistence of light and darkness—fame and despair, freedom and loneliness, love and controversy. From French cinema to global culture, she left behind an indelible mark everywhere.