Singer, actress, model and animal-rights activist: over the course of her long life, Brigitte Bardot wore many hats, turning her into an international star admired in France and around the world. This icon of the 1950s to the 1970s has died this Sunday, December 28, 2025, at the age of 91. She leaves behind a son, Nicolas Charrier, and a legion of grieving fans.
Born on September 28, 1934, Brigitte Bardot defined a whole generation with her multifaceted talents, striking looks, and outspoken views. The French icon earned international fame: she became the muse of countless artists and embodied the free woman of the postwar era.
Her beauty and sensuality quickly transform her into a femme fatale. At barely 18, she poses in a bikini, a daring new garment that shocked public morals. Later, she frequently appears nude on screen. Her numerous lovers and her refusal of motherhood gradually shape her as the emblem of the liberated, emancipated woman. Yet the actress has often spoken out against feminist movements.
She notably criticized the Movement for the Liberation of Women in 1973: « God knows, however, that I am a woman who can be called free. But I am first a woman. And women will never be like men ».
The star has often sparked controversy for her attacks and violent remarks. She has been convicted five times of incitement to racial hatred, following insults directed at several groups. She was notably virulent against Islam, immigrants, and undocumented migrants in France, but also against LGBT people.
Brigitte Bardot also sparked controversy by claiming that women have no place in politics. Her commitment to the animal welfare cause led her to insult and disparage many people, including the Réunionnais, whom she described as the « population of degenerates ».
Despite these controversies, Brigitte Bardot enjoyed a long and prolific career, in cinema as in music. Here are some of her most famous titles: Harley Davidson, Moi je joue, Bonnie and Clyde, Ne me laisse pas l'aimer, Tu veux ou tu veux pas, Everybody loves my baby, Je donne à qui me plaît, Je t'aime moi non plus. On the big screen, we highlight Et Dieu... créa la femme, Le Mépris, Viva Maria, Voulez-vous danser avec moi ?, Le Trou normand...
Deeply committed to animal welfare, she founded the Brigitte Bardot Foundation in 1986. The foundation campaigns for the protection of animals, notably by improving slaughter practices to spare the animals from suffering.
Controversial and outspoken in her battles, the undisputed star of the Trente Glorieuses, Brigitte Bardot left an indelible mark on the society of her era, and will no doubt be missed by many fans.
