Brigitte Bardot, the French star who changed how the world saw beauty and freedom, has passed away at 91. Her foundation shared the sad news on December 28, 2025. She died at her home in southern France.
Bardot, often called “BB,” became famous in the 1950s and 1960s. Her role in the movie And God Created Woman in 1956 made her a global sex symbol. She danced with a natural, bold energy that felt new and exciting. People loved her tousled hair, pouty lips, and free spirit. She helped open up ideas about women’s sexuality in films.
She starred in many hits, like comedies where her playful side shone. Films such as Contempt by Jean-Luc Godard showed her talent in serious roles too. Bardot also sang. She worked with Serge Gainsbourg on fun, spicy songs that became classics.
In 1969, her face became the model for Marianne, the symbol of France. It sits in town halls and on stamps. She represented a modern, lively France coming out of old ways.
But fame was hard for her. Paparazzi followed her everywhere. She tried to take her own life more than once. At just 38, in 1973, she quit acting for good. She wanted a quieter life.
That choice led her to animals. Bardot always loved them. One day on a film set, she saw a goat headed for slaughter. She bought it to save it. From then on, she fought for animal rights. She started the Brigitte Bardot Foundation in 1986. She sold her things to fund it and spoke out against cruel practices.
“I stopped movies to take care of animals,” she said in an old interview. She became obsessed with protecting them.
Later in life, Bardot spoke her mind on politics. She supported far-right groups in France, like the National Front. She worried about immigration and changes in her country. Her strong words about Muslims and other topics got her in trouble. Courts found her guilty five times for inciting hatred.
These views divided people. Some saw her as a true patriot. Others felt hurt by her comments. Even after her death, France is split on how to honor her. Far-right leaders praised her quickly. Others stay quiet.
Bardot lived her way until the end. In a recent talk for her 90th birthday, she said she had everything she needed. She did not change who she was.
Her story shows a France that changed a lot. From post-war joy and freedom to tougher talks about identity today. Bardot was part of it all โ the glamour, the fights, the strong opinions.
Fans gather in Saint-Tropez, her home town, to remember her. She will be buried there by the sea. Brigitte Bardot leaves a big mark: a woman who lived freely, loved animals deeply, and never held back. Her legacy is complex, but no one can deny her impact. She was truly one of a kind.