Brigitte Bardot, 1960s Film Icon and Fierce Animal Rights Champion, Dead at 91

Brigitte Bardot, the legendary French actress and 1960s s** symbol, has died at the age of 91. The news was confirmed by Bruno Jacquelin of the Brigitte Bardot Foundation for the protection of animals, who said she passed away at her home in southern France on Sunday.

Bardot rose to international fame in 1956 with the film And God Created Woman, directed by her then-husband Roger Vadim. The movie, featuring scenes of Bardot dancing naked on tables, sparked controversy but also cemented her status as one of cinema’s most iconic screen sirens.

Over her career, Bardot appeared in 28 films and became a symbol of France breaking free from conservative social norms. Her image was so influential that in 1969 she was chosen as the model for “Marianne,” the national emblem of France. French President Emmanuel Macron paid tribute on social media, writing, “We are mourning a legend.”

After retiring from acting in the early 1970s, Bardot dedicated herself to animal rights activism. She spoke out against the killing of baby seals, animal testing, and controversial slaughter practices. “Man is an insatiable predator. I don’t care about my past glory. That means nothing in the face of an animal that suffers,” she said in 2007. Her efforts earned her the Legion of Honor in 1985.

However, Bardot also courted controversy with her political statements and anti-immigrant rhetoric, particularly against Muslims in France.

She faced fines and convictions for inciting racial hatred over her comments regarding religious slaughter practices. Her marriage in 1992 to Bernard d’Ormale, a former adviser to nationalist leader Jean-Marie Le Pen, further aligned her with far-right politics. In 2012, she expressed support for Marine Le Pen’s presidential campaign.

Born on September 28, 1934, Bardot grew up in a wealthy but strict household. She studied ballet and appeared on the cover of Elle magazine at just 14.

Her early life and career were marked by public scrutiny, including a highly publicized affair with co-star Jean-Louis Trintignant and struggles with depression. She gave birth to her only child, Nicolas, in 1960 but later described feeling unprepared for motherhood and temporarily gave him up to his father.

Her filmography includes notable titles such as Contempt (1963), The Truth (1960), and Shalako (1968). Though she admitted she did not have a deep passion for acting, her work became emblematic of 1960s s**** liberation and cinematic glamour.

After leaving the spotlight, Bardot’s focus shifted entirely to animal welfare. She founded her eponymous foundation and campaigned internationally for animal rights, calling on governments and organizations to change practices she deemed cruel.

“I can understand hunted animals because of the way I was treated. What happened to me was inhuman. I was constantly surrounded by the world press,” she said in reference to her early fame.

Brigitte Bardot leaves behind a complicated legacy as both an iconic figure of film and a controversial activist. She will be remembered for her groundbreaking role in cinema, her passionate advocacy for animals, and her outspoken personality that never shied away from public debate.

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