Birth and Early Life
Brigitte Bardot was born on September 28, 1934, in Paris. She began her artistic journey as a ballet dancer and fashion model before her cinematic talent was discovered, launching her toward international fame.
Cinematic Rise
Bardot launched her global film career with "And God Created Woman" in 1956, which featured the character of a liberated teenage girl, becoming a landmark in cinema history. Over fifteen years, she established herself as one of the world's most famous actresses, appearing in more than 40 films, including:
"A Very Private Affair" (1962)
"The Truth" by director Henri-Georges Clouzot
"Contempt" by Jean-Luc Godard
"Viva Maria!" alongside Jeanne Moreau
She became internationally known by the initials "BB" and emerged as a symbol of female liberation in the 1950s and 1960s. She also recorded songs with the artist Serge Gainsbourg.
A National Symbol
Bardot became a national symbol in France, her face chosen to represent "Marianne," the emblem of the French Republic. General de Gaulle described her as a "national treasure", as her films generated significant revenue for the French treasury.
Personal Life
Bardot was married four times and had one son. She faced psychological difficulties, including depression and suicide attempts, resulting from the pressures of fame and the artistic world, revealing the human side behind the dazzling star image.
The Major Shift: From Cinema to Activism
In a surprise to many, Bardot retired from acting in 1973 at the age of 39, at the height of her fame, to begin a new chapter in her life dedicated to defending animal rights.
Animal Rights Activism
Brigitte Bardot founded her own foundation for animal protection in 1986, raising approximately 3 million francs through personal auctions to support her cause. She became a prominent international activist in:
Combating animal hunting
Promoting animal rights
Opposing meat consumption
She continued her humanitarian work until her final years. Upon turning ninety, she requested a special gift from the French government: a ban on the sale of horse meat.
Final Years and Death
Bardot recently settled in the coastal French city of Saint-Tropez, where she continued her humanitarian work. In her final media appearance this year from her home, she confirmed she did not fear death, considering that contemporary life had made it more of a "salvation" than an end.
The French actress Brigitte Bardot died at the age of 91, leaving behind a unique artistic and humanitarian legacy. She transitioned from being a global cinematic icon to an international symbol for the defense of animal rights, achieving an impact that extended beyond the silver screen into the world of humanitarian activism.