Brigitte Bardot, the legendary French actress, singer, and lifelong animal rights activist, passed away peacefully at the age of 91 on December 28 at her longtime home, La Madrague in Saint-Tropez, France.
According to her husband of more than three decades, Bernard d’Ormale, Bardot had been quietly battling cancer and had undergone two surgeries in recent months. Despite health challenges and severe back pain, she spent her final days surrounded by care, comfort, and loved ones. He shared that she left the world calmly, with a sense of peace.
Rising to international fame in the 1950s, Bardot became a global symbol of beauty and freedom after her breakthrough role in And God Created Woman. Her influence stretched far beyond cinema — shaping fashion, pop culture, and the image of modern womanhood across Europe and the United States.
At the height of her fame, Bardot stepped away from acting in her late 30s to dedicate her life to animal welfare. In 1986, she founded the Brigitte Bardot Foundation, becoming one of the world’s most recognized voices for animal rights.
Bardot will be laid to rest in a private ceremony in Saint-Tropez, the town she called home for over 50 years. While her later years were marked by controversy, her impact on film, culture, and animal advocacy remains undeniable.
Brigitte Bardot leaves behind a legacy that shaped generations — a star who chose compassion over spotlight.
