Who was Brigitte Bardot? All about French actress who died at 91

French actress and cultural phenomenon, Brigitte Bardot, died at 91 on December 28, 2025.

Bruno Jacquelin, who is from the Brigitte Bardot Foundation for the protection of animals, told The Associated Press that she passed away at her home in southern France. She was hospitalised last month after having health issues, though the cause of her death was not given.

Bardot came to fame in 1956 with her role in And God Created Woman. But she didn't let that limit her, as further down in her career, she became an animal protection activist as well as someone who also supported the far right.

The Brigitte Bardot Foundation, of which she was the founder and president, described her as

“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."

Brigitte Bardot's career

As a trailblazer for women in cinema, she became one of the symbols of the sexual revolution and the pride of France, known for her portrayals of free-spirited characters, who eventually turned her back on fame and stardom in 1973 to become an activist.

She stated, “I gave my youth and my beauty to men, but I give my wisdom and experience to animals.”

Born in Paris on September 28, 1934, she was a brunette who took up her world-famous blonde hair and created her iconic look. But as much of a public figure as she was, she was also known to be quite controversial. During the #MeToo movement, she stated that it is hypocritical to call out the industry for sexual harassment when many played “the teases” to land the parts.

“Many actresses flirt with producers to get a role. Then when they tell the story afterwards, they say they have been harassed. … In actual fact, rather than benefit them, it only harms them."

She added, “I thought it was nice to be told that I was beautiful or that I had a pretty little a**. This kind of compliment is nice.”

She had also been fined repeatedly for inciting racial hatred against Muslim immigrants to France.

In 2007, she gave a CNN interview where she seemed at a loss as to why she gained such fame and was considered an icon of French cinema.

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“I don’t know. I think that I arrived and left at the right time. My wild and free side unsettled some, and unwedged others.”

However, the actress and singer rarely used to visit her career in public. Brigitte was married four times and had one son with her second husband.

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