Brigitte Bardot Shares Her Journey Through a Difficult Time in a New Documentary
A photo of Brigitte Bardot then and now.
Credit: Hulton Archive/Getty; ERIC FEFERBERG/AFP via Getty
Brigitte Bardot Reflects on Life and Struggles in New Documentary
Brigitte Bardot has shared intimate details about her life struggles, including her battle with depression, in her new documentary titled Bardot. The film sheds light on her experiences during her rise to fame and the loneliness that often accompanied her celebrity status in the 1960s. This release comes shortly after reports of the 91-year-old actress being hospitalized due to health concerns.
In the documentary, Bardot disclosed that she has grappled with depression throughout her life and contemplated suicide during her career’s peak. "I was taking my own life, and I was saved by a miracle," she stated. Although she did not elaborate on the specifics of that miracle, her sentiments were echoed in a report by The Sunday Times.
Bardot, known for her iconic roles in films such as And God Created Woman and The Truth, also opened up about feelings of isolation following her sudden rise to stardom. Her fame transformed her into a global sex symbol, a status that she says posed unique challenges.
Despite her ongoing struggles, she emphasized a silver lining in her life: her commitment to animal rights. "I don’t care if people remember me. What I would really like is for people to remember the respect we owe to animals," she remarked. Bardot described herself as "more animal than human" in her reflections on humanity.
This candid documentary is not Bardot’s first public account of her struggles; she detailed previous suicide attempts in her 1995 autobiography, Initiales BB. In this work, she noted, "When you live such intense moments as I have done, there is always a bill to pay. You cannot escape the distress which follows great happiness."
Bardot’s documentary release follows a challenging few months; she was hospitalized in Toulon, France, for three weeks in October due to serious health issues. After undergoing surgery, her team confirmed that she was recuperating at home. Earlier, she publicly addressed rumors about her well-being, asserting, "I am doing well and I have no plan on taking my bow."
Starting her career as a model at just 15, Bardot graced the cover of Elle before making her film debut in director Marc Allégret’s Les Lauriers sont coupés. She would go on to become a major international star throughout the 50s and 60s, ultimately shifting her focus to animal rights advocacy, founding the Brigitte Bardot Foundation in 1986 to protect both wild and domestic animals.
However, Bardot’s career also includes controversy; she faced legal consequences in 2008 for provoking racial hatred with statements about the Muslim community and has critiqued the #MeToo movement as "hypocritical."
As Bardot reflects on her past and current life’s mission, she continues to captivate audiences, highlighting both the triumphs and tribulations of her extraordinary journey.
