French Film Legend Brigitte Bardot Passes Away at 91
Brigitte Bardot, the legendary French actress who became one of the first true global sex symbols, has passed away.
Her death was confirmed Sunday by her foundation in a statement released to the French news agency AFP. Bardot died at her home in southern France, where she had spent much of her later life dedicated to animal rights advocacy.
No official cause of death has been disclosed. Her passing follows a serious illness that required surgery in October, just months ago.
Bardot rose to worldwide fame in 1956 with the controversial film And God Created Woman, a role that shocked audiences and transformed her into an international icon of sensuality and personal freedom. The film made her a symbol of sexual liberation and earned her the enduring nickname “B.B.”
She began her career as a teenage model, appearing on the cover of Elle magazine at just 15 years old before transitioning into acting. Her rise was swift, and she soon became one of Europe’s biggest box-office stars, appearing in popular films such as Naughty Girl, Plucking the Daisy, Babette Goes to War, and La Parisienne.
Bardot later expanded her career to Hollywood, starring in Dear Brigitte alongside James Stewart and sharing the screen with Sean Connery in Shalako.
Despite her immense fame and success, Bardot often struggled with the pressures of stardom and her mental health. In 1960, she survived a suicide attempt and later acknowledged that she had come close to ending her life multiple times. At the age of 39, in 1973, she made the decision to step away from acting permanently.
Her personal life was frequently in the public eye. Bardot was married four times and had widely publicized relationships with figures such as Warren Beatty and Jean-Louis Trintignant. She is survived by her husband and her son.
Brigitte Bardot was 91 years old.
Rest in peace.