Brigitte Bardot Passes Away at 91: From 1960s Sex Symbol to Dedicated Animal Advocate

Brigitte Bardot, the iconic French actress known for her role as a 1960s sex symbol and a passionate animal rights activist, has died at the age of 91. The Brigitte Bardot Foundation for the Protection of Animals confirmed that she passed away at her home in Saint Tropez, France, on Sunday.

Bardot first rose to fame in her husband Roger Vadim’s provocative 1956 film And God Created Woman, where she portrayed an audacious 18-year-old whose innate sensuality stirred both admiration and jealousy in the then-quiet fishing village of Saint Tropez.

The film ignited controversy due to its frank depiction of female sexuality, leading to bans in several countries, including parts of the United States.

Bardot and Vadim, whom she met at 16 and married in 1952, saw their relationship begin to unravel during the filming of And God Created Woman, shortly after which Bardot had an affair with co-star Jean-Louis Trintignant. The couple divorced amicably in 1957, cementing Vadim’s connection to Bardot’s evolving legacy, while the film itself helped establish Saint Tropez as a glamorous destination.

Throughout her career, Bardot appeared in 28 films, with notable contributions including Christian Jaque’s Babette’s Feast and Jean-Luc Godard’s Contempt. However, for many in France, her influence extended far beyond the screen.

With her “sex kitten” persona and striking presence, Bardot became a symbol of a transformative period in French history, as the nation shifted away from the constraints of World War II and embraced a more liberated social ethos.

In a defining moment of her life, Bardot announced her retirement from acting in 1973 at the age of 39, redirecting her focus toward animal rights. She established the Brigitte Bardot Foundation in 1986, which has since rescued hundreds of thousands of animals.

Reflecting on her life’s journey, Bardot once remarked, “I gave my youth and beauty to men; I give my wisdom and experience to animals.”

French President Emmanuel Macron paid tribute to Bardot with a post on X, stating, “We mourn a legend of the century.” He elaborated on her legacy, noting, “Her films, her voice, her dazzling glory, her initials, her sorrows, her generous passion for animals, her face that became Marianne (the symbol of the French republic), Brigitte Bardot embodied a life of freedom.”