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Brigitte Bardot Dies at 91, French Screen Icon and Animal-Rights Champion

Her foundation confirmed the death, prompting assessments of a legacy that mixed cultural influence with polarizing politics.

Overview

  • The Fondation Brigitte Bardot announced her death at 91, with no cause disclosed; AFP reported she died at La Madrague in Saint‑Tropez while some outlets did not specify the location.
  • Bardot’s breakthrough in And God Created Woman (1956) propelled her to global fame, leading to roughly 45–50 films before she retired from acting in 1973 at age 39.
  • She refocused her public life on animal welfare, creating the Fondation Brigitte Bardot in 1986 and mounting high-profile campaigns such as opposition to the Canadian seal hunt.
  • Her later public statements on immigration and social issues drew condemnation in France, resulting in multiple convictions for incitement to hatred under French law.
  • Recent reports noted a serious illness and an October 2025 surgery as her health declined, while tributes from public figures, including President Emmanuel Macron, underscored her enduring cultural imprint.