At a Glance
- Bardot died at 91 after a life that shifted from sex symbol to animal rights activist.
- She shot to fame with the 1956 film And God Created Woman.
- Paparazzi pressure and personal struggles spurred her into activism.
Why it matters: Her story shows how relentless media attention can transform a celebrity into a powerful advocate for animal welfare.
Brigitte Bardot, the iconic French actress and former sex symbol, passed away Sunday at 91. Her early career, highlighted by the 1956 hit And God Created Woman, earned her worldwide fame, but relentless paparazzi and personal turmoil eventually redirected her focus toward animal rights. The legacy she left behind reflects both her cinematic influence and her controversial activism.
From Sex Symbol to Activist
Bardot’s rise began at age 22 when her performance in And God Created Woman captivated audiences worldwide. The film’s daring scenes-dancing naked on tables-cemented her status as one of the 20th century’s most provocative figures. Despite the acclaim, Bardot later expressed regret, calling her early work “an embarrassment.”
- A Parisian (1957)
- In Case of Misfortune (1958)
- The Truth (1960)
- Private Life (1961)
- A Ravishing Idiot (1963)
- A Happy Heart (1967)
- Shalako (1968)
- Women (1969)
- The Bear And The Doll (1970)
- Rum Boulevard (1971)
- Don Juan (1973)
Paparazzi Pressure and Personal Struggles
Bardot never acclimated to the spotlight and blamed the constant press for a suicide attempt shortly after the birth of her only child, Nicolas. Photographers broke into her house two weeks before her delivery to capture her pregnancy. The relentless scrutiny also contributed to her decision to relinquish her son to his father, Jacques Charrier, citing chronic depression and a lack of roots.
Bardot said:
> “I was looking for roots then.”
Bardot added:
> “It’s an embarrassment to have acted so badly.”
Animal Rights Crusade
In 1973, Bardot retired from cinema and settled in St. Tropez, where she devoted herself to animal welfare. She founded a foundation dedicated to preventing animal cruelty and campaigned against the slaughter of baby seals, laboratory testing, and the consumption of dog and horse meat. Bardot also criticized Muslim slaughter rituals and campaigned for the protection of wolves, rabbits, kittens, and turtle doves.
Bardot said in a 1982 interview:
> “I understand wild animals, under the fire of machine guns or hunters’ rifles, so well.”
Bardot said:
> “It was never a great passion of mine.”
- Blown whistle on Arctic seal slaughter
- Condemned laboratory animal experiments
- Opposed Muslim sheep-slaughtering rituals
- Campaigned against dog meat trade in South Korea
- Wrote to President Bill Clinton about dolphins
- Attacked French Palio horse race
Controversies and Legal Issues
Bardot’s outspoken stance earned her the Legion of Honor in 1985, but her rhetoric also led to five convictions for inciting racial hatred. She criticized the Muslim practice of slaughtering sheep during Aid el-Kebir and Eid Al-Adha, and her husband, Bernard d’Ormale, a former adviser to Jean-Marie Le Pen, shared similar views. Bardot denied racism but frequently decried the influx of Muslims into France.
Bardot said:
> “Man is an insatiable predator.”
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1956 | Film And God Created Woman |
| 1973 | Retired from cinema |
| 1985 | Awarded Legion of Honor |
| 1997 | Death threats after anti-horse-meat stance |
| 2007 | 73rd birthday interview with News Of Austin |
Legacy and Public Perception
Bardot’s legacy is a mix of cinematic brilliance and polarizing activism. While some admire her courage to defend animals, others criticize her extremist rhetoric and anti-immigrant comments. In 2008, actress Pamela Anderson called Bardot her “mother of the heart and my absolute idol,” while in 2018, Bardot dismissed actors protesting sexual harassment as “hypocritical” and “ridiculous.”
Bardot said:
> “I can understand hunted animals because of the way I was treated.”
Bardot’s death marks the end of a complex chapter in French cultural history. Her journey from a celebrated actress to a fervent animal rights advocate-and the controversies that followed-continues to spark debate about celebrity influence, media scrutiny, and the power of personal conviction.
Key Takeaways
- Bardot’s career pivoted from sex symbol to animal rights activist, driven by paparazzi pressure.
- She earned the Legion of Honor yet faced five convictions for inciting racial hatred.
- Her legacy remains contested, reflecting both her cinematic impact and her polarizing activism.
