French Screen Legend and Animal Rights Campaigner Brigitte Bardot Passes Away

French actress and singer Brigitte Bardot, a global sex symbol turned animal rights activist, has died at the age of 91, her foundation announced on Sunday. The Brigitte Bardot Foundation paid tribute to its founder, highlighting her decision to leave a celebrated film career to dedicate her life to animal welfare. The statement did not specify the time or place of her death.

Born in Paris in 1934, Bardot trained as a ballet dancer and model before breaking into film. She gained international fame in 1956 with And God Created Woman, directed by her then-husband Roger Vadim, and became a defining figure of 1960s cinema with films including The Truth, Very Private Affair, and Contempt.

After retiring from acting in 1973, Bardot focused on animal rights activism, founding her eponymous foundation in 1986 and campaigning on issues such as seal hunts and dolphin killings. Her later years were marked by controversial political statements, including support for France’s far-right National Rally and repeated convictions for inciting racial hatred.

Tributes have poured in from across France. President Emmanuel Macron described Bardot as embodying “a life of freedom” and “universal brilliance,” while far-right politicians praised her patriotism and commitment to animal welfare. The town of Saint-Tropez, where she shot And God Created Woman, hailed her as its “most radiant ambassador,” cementing her legacy as both a cinematic icon and passionate campaigner.

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