French film legend Brigitte Bardot died at the age of 91 on 28 December 2025, her foundation announced.
Bardot first rose to global fame in the 1950s and 60s as a screen presence unlike any other — her breakthrough role in And God Created Woman made her an international symbol of French cinema, sensuality and post-war cultural liberation. Known affectionately as “BB,” she epitomized a new kind of freedom onscreen and off, shaping not only film but fashion and pop culture worldwide.
After retiring from acting in 1973 at the height of her fame, Bardot turned her attention entirely to animal rights activism and in 1986 founded the Brigitte Bardot Foundation for the Welfare and Protection of Animals, dedicated to combating cruelty and improving animal welfare globally — a cause she championed for nearly five decades.
Yet Bardot’s legacy was deeply complex and contested. Alongside admiration for her cinematic impact and lifelong compassion for animals, her later public statements and political alignments drew significant controversy. In her later years she was repeatedly criticized and legally penalized for inflammatory remarks about immigrants, Islam and other communities — leading contemporary voices and artists to reassess tributes in the wake of her death.
In remembering Bardot, the world recalls both the irresistible star who reshaped cinematic allure and the fiercely combative activist whose words and actions sparked debate. Her influence — on screen, in activism, and in cultural conversation — will continue to prompt admiration and critical reflection.
