Brigitte Bardot, who rose to international fame as a prominent French actress in the 1960s and emerged as a cultural figure symbolizing a break from traditional bourgeois norms, has died at the age of 91. Her death occurred on Sunday at her residence in southern France, as confirmed by Bruno Jacquelin from the Brigitte Bardot Foundation dedicated to animal protection efforts.
No official cause of death has been disclosed. Funeral and memorial proceedings have yet to be scheduled. Bardot had been hospitalized during the previous month, though details on the duration and reasons for her hospitalization are not public.
Bardot's film career spanned approximately 28 movies, during which she became an emblem of youthful sensuality and rebellion. Her breakthrough came with the 1956 film "And God Created Woman," directed by her then-husband Roger Vadim. The film shook societal conventions with its provocative portrayal, notably including scenes of Bardot dancing nude atop tables, generating considerable public controversy at the time.
Throughout her cinematic years, Bardot was widely recognized for her tousled blonde hair, curvaceous physique, and spirited sensuality, making her one of France’s most identifiable movie stars. Beyond her screen presence, she later dedicated much of her life to activism, focusing on animal rights and adopting political stances aligned with the extreme right.
Her career and persona encapsulated a transformative period in French society, as the nation moved away from conservative values towards more liberated cultural expressions. Bardot’s influence extended beyond entertainment into social activism, particularly reflected in her establishment of a foundation for animal protection.