Following her death on December 28, 2025, at age 91, Brigitte Bardot's funeral is scheduled for January 7, 2026, at Notre-Dame de l'Assomption church in Saint-Tropez, with a private burial at the local marine cemetery. The event has sparked political controversy, with right-wing figures pushing for a national tribute and left-wing opponents citing her past controversial statements.
Brigitte Bardot, the French cinema icon who died at her La Madrague home in Saint-Tropez alongside husband Bernard d'Ormale, had prepared her final wishes in advance. Though she once expressed a desire to be buried at La Madrague—her residence since the late 1950s—she opted for the marine cemetery, joining her parents and first husband Roger Vadim, as confirmed by local sources including Ici Provence and the mayor's office.
The Brigitte Bardot Foundation announced the invitation-only funeral for Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at 11 a.m. at Notre-Dame de l'Assomption church. Public screenings will be available at the port and Place des Lices, followed by a private burial and an open tribute at the fishermen's meadow for locals and fans. Residents worry about increased tourism at the seaside cemetery, already a draw for celebrity visitors.
Bardot directed nearly her entire modest estate to her animal protection foundation, her focus since retiring from film in 1973. She explicitly rejected a national homage, favoring a simple wooden cross and intimate ceremony, per reports from journalists Wendy Bouchard and Steven Bellery.
Politically, the debate escalates: Éric Ciotti (UDR, allied with RN) urged President Emmanuel Macron for a national tribute, dubbing her France's 'Marianne' and citing a petition with 8,500 signatures. Socialist leader Olivier Faure opposes it, pointing to her racism convictions and anti-republican views. Green politician Sandrine Rousseau decried her stances on migrants, though Philippe Brun indicated openness to Macron's decision.
