French actress and sex symbol Brigitte Bardot has died at her home in Saint-Tropez at the age of 91. Known for her roles in films like 'And God Created Woman' and 'Contempt,' she became an icon of post-war sensuality and later a prominent animal rights activist. French President Emmanuel Macron described her as a 'legend of the century' who embodied a life of freedom.
Brigitte Bardot, born Brigitte Anne-Marie Bardot on September 28, 1934, in Paris to a conservative Catholic family, rose to international fame in the 1950s. She studied ballet at the Conservatoire de Paris before modeling for Elle magazine at age 15, which led to her meeting director Roger Vadim. They married in 1952 when she was 18, and Vadim directed her breakthrough film 'And God Created Woman' in 1956, where she played the free-spirited Juliette. The movie, set in Saint-Tropez, sparked scandal for its portrayal of female sexuality and was banned in several countries, grossing $8.5 million worldwide and establishing Saint-Tropez as a jet-set destination.
Bardot's performance in the film projected a bold image of feminine identity and erotic power, as described by philosopher Simone de Beauvoir, who called her 'a locomotive of women’s history' and noted that 'in the game of love, she is as much a hunter as she is a prey.' Branded a 'sex kitten' and 'teenage temptress,' Bardot symbolized France's emergence from World War II, popularizing the bikini and inspiring designers like Dior and Pierre Cardin. She recorded over 60 songs and starred in films including 'Babette Goes to War,' 'The Truth'—for which she won a David Di Donatello Award in 1961—and 'Viva Maria!' earning a BAFTA nomination in 1967. In Jean-Luc Godard's 'Contempt' (1963), she portrayed Camille, whose marriage dissolves without dramatic explanation, highlighting a new female autonomy.
Married four times, including to Vadim and later German playboy Gunter Sachs, Bardot retired from acting in 1973 at age 39 to focus on animal rights. She founded the Brigitte Bardot Foundation in 1986, saving hundreds of thousands of animals, and once said, 'I gave my youth and beauty to men, I give my wisdom and experience to animals.' Awarded the Legion of Honour in 1985, she refused it. Bardot faced controversies, fined six times for inciting racial hatred over comments on Muslims and immigration, and endorsed right-wing politician Marine Le Pen.
She died on December 28, 2025, at her Saint-Tropez home, as announced by her foundation. No cause was given, though she had been hospitalized the previous month. She is survived by her husband Bernard d’Ormale, a son from her marriage to actor Jacques Charrier, and two granddaughters. Macron paid tribute on X: 'Her films, her voice, her dazzling glory... She embodied a life of freedom.' Bardot's influence endures, echoed in actresses from Uma Thurman to Sydney Sweeney, blending sexuality with artistry.
