Hounded by photographers for years, Bardot identified with the animals she later set out to save
SOURCE:Independent UK|BY:Angela Charlton and Elaine Ganley
Brigitte Bardot, who has died at 91, often said that the hounding she received from the world's press in her years as a sex symbol of the 1960s made her identify with hunted and abused animals
News of her death was announced “with immense sadness” by The Brigitte Bardot Foundation on Sunday (28 December), who called the star “a world-renowned actress and singer, who chose to abandon her prestigious career to dedicate her life and energy to animal welfare and her foundation”.
It added: “The Brigitte Bardot Foundation wishes to pay tribute to the memory of an exceptional woman who gave up everything for a world more respectful of animals.
Throughout her career, the Parisian star drew acclaim for her work with pioneering French New Wave directors such as Roger Vadim and Jean-Luc Godard. She also sang on a number of albums, notably collaborating with Serge Gainsbourg, and in later life dedicated herself to animal rights activism.
After retiring in 1973, Bardot dedicated herself to animal welfare through her own charity.
She also courted controversy on several occasions with racist and offensive public remarks. In a 2004 book, she referred to gay people as “fairground freaks”, complained about “the scandal of unemployment benefits”, and claimed that France was being “infiltrated” by “sheep-slaughtering Muslims”. Between 1997 and 2008, she was taken to court five times on charges of inciting racial hatred.
Brigitte Bardot called herself 'a lousy actress'
Brigitte Bardot might be one of the most iconic French stars of all time, but she didn’t rate her own abilities.
"I started out as a lousy actress and I have remained one,” she once boldly declared.
France Obit Bardot (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)
Jacob Stolworthy28 December 2025 14:15
Bardot was convicted for inciting racial hatred five times
Brigitte Bardot veered into extremism in her later years – and was convicted five times in France for inciting racial hatred. She was fined for her anti-Muslim rhetoric.
Marine Le Pen, whom Bardot supported, shares statement
Marine Le Pen, the far-right French politician who Brigitte Bardot supported, has paid tribute to the actor.
"France loses an exceptional woman, through her talent, her courage, her frankness, her beauty," she said.
"A woman who chose to break with an incredible career to devote herself to the animals she defended until her last breath with inexhaustible energy and love.
"She was incredibly French: free, untamable, whole. She will be greatly missed by us."
Jacob Stolworthy28 December 2025 13:07
French Animal Welfare Society honours Bardot
SPA France has hailed Brigitte Bardot as an "iconic figure and a passionate advocate for the animal cause".
"Since the 1970s, and later through her foundation created in the 1980s, she devoted her life to defending those who have no voice," a statement said.
"Her unwavering commitment helped change attitudes and achieve major advances in animal protection.
"Thank you, BB, for all that you have accomplished."
France Obit Brigitte Bardot
Jacob Stolworthy28 December 2025 12:45
Uri Geller recalls meeting Brigitte Bardot
Illusionist Uri Geller has paid tribute to Brigitte Bardot.
"Deeply saddened to hear the legend Brigitte Bardot has died. I met her several times in Paris - she was as beautiful and dazzling in real life as she was on screen.
"A great supporter of animal rights - we both stood against animal cruelty and eating meat. She was a unique icon – there will not be another like her. My heart goes out to all the people who loved her, her family, and all her fans worldwide."
Jacob Stolworthy28 December 2025 12:15
Brigitte Bardot's marriages
The French star married four times.
Her first marriage was in 1952, to director Roger Vadim, but they divorced after five years.
Her second marriage, to fellow actor Jacques Charrier, lasted from 1959 to 1962, and the pair had one son, Nicolas-Jacques Charrier.
Her fourth and final marriage in 1992 was to Bernard d’Ormale, an adviser to the ultra-right-wing National Front leader Jean-Marie Le Pen. They were married at the time of her death.
Bardot attending the funeral of her first husband, Roger Vadim, in 2000 alongside her fourth husband, Bernard d'Ormale (AFP/Getty)
Jacob Stolworthy28 December 2025 12:00
Bardot was a staunch animal rights activist
After retiring from acting in 1973, Bardot set her sights on animal rights and launched the Brigitte Bardot Foundation to raise awareness.
To start the organisation, she raised three million francs by auctioning off her jewellery, and among other things, condemned the massacre of seal pups and the consumption of horse meat.
Jacob Stolworthy28 December 2025 11:45
Piers Morgan calls Bardot 'greatest movie sex symbol'
“RIP Brigitte Bardot, 91. The greatest movie sex symbol of them all, and the woman who made St Tropez the coolest place in the world.”
Jacob Stolworthy28 December 2025 11:30
Brigitte Bardot Foundation honours its leader
The Brigitte Bardot Foundation confirmed Bardot’s death in a statement:
“The Brigitte Bardot Foundation announces with immense sadness the passing of its founder and president, Madame Brigitte Bardot, a world-renowned actress and singer, who chose to abandon her prestigious career to dedicate her life and energy to animal welfare and her foundation.”
It added: “The Brigitte Bardot Foundation wishes to pay tribute to the memory of an exceptional woman who gave up everything for a world more respectful of animals.
“Her legacy remains, living through the actions and battles that the foundation pursues with the same passion and the same loyalty to her ideals.”
Jacob Stolworthy28 December 2025 11:15
Emmanuel Macron pays tribute
The French president has paid tribute to Brigitte Bardot.
“Her films, her voice, her dazzling glory, her initials, her sorrows, her generous passion for animals, her face that became Marianne, Brigitte Bardot embodied a life of freedom. French existence, universal brilliance. She touched us. We mourn a legend of the century.”
