The curtain fell today, Sunday, on the life of one of the most prominent figures in 20th-century world cinema, with the death of the renowned French actress Brigitte Bardot at the age of 91. The foundation bearing her name announced the sad news, confirming the passing of the "icon of the 1960s," who transformed from a symbol of glamour and cinema into one of the world's fiercest advocates for animal rights.
Foundation statement and details of death
In an official statement sent to AFP, the Brigitte Bardot Foundation mourned its president and founder with heartfelt words: “The Brigitte Bardot Foundation announces with deep sadness the passing of its founder and president, Brigitte Bardot, the world-renowned actress and singer who chose to give up her prestigious artistic career to dedicate her life and efforts to animal welfare and supporting her foundation.” Sources indicated that the late star breathed her last on Sunday morning at her famous residence, La Madrague, in Saint-Tropez, in the south of France, a place that had been synonymous with her name for decades.
From “And God created woman” to global recognition
It is impossible to speak of Bardot's passing without acknowledging the immense cinematic legacy she left behind. "BB," as she was affectionately known by her fans, rose to international stardom in 1956 with Roger Vadim's "And God Created Woman." This film was more than just a cinematic work; it sparked a cultural and social revolution. Bardot embodied the image of the liberated and rebellious woman, becoming a symbol of femininity and allure in the 1950s and 60s, rivaling Hollywood stars like Marilyn Monroe.
Bardot helped make Saint-Tropez a global destination for the wealthy and famous, and she directly influenced the world of fashion, from her signature hairstyles to clothing lines that have been imitated by millions of women worldwide. She also ventured into singing, collaborating with renowned musicians such as Serge Gainsbourg, and performing songs that remain etched in French cultural memory.
Retirement and dedicating one's life to animals
In a move that surprised the world, Brigitte Bardot decided in the early 1970s, specifically in 1973, to retire from acting at the height of her fame after appearing in nearly fifty films. Retirement was not the end of her career, but rather the beginning of a new mission to which she dedicated her entire life: defending animal rights.
Bardot founded her renowned foundation in 1986 and spearheaded fierce international campaigns against seal hunting, bullfighting, the use of fur, and laboratory animal testing. Despite her withdrawal from the public eye, Bardot remained a prominent figure through her activism and outspokenness, preferring a quiet life in her home in the South of France, surrounded by the animals she loved and championed until the end of her life.
