Brigitte Bardot, the Parisian ballet dancer turned screen siren who captivated the global imagination in the 1950s and then walked away from fame to become the world’s most famous advocate for animals, has died. She was 91.
Her death was confirmed on Sunday, December 28, 2025, by the Fondation Brigitte Bardot, the organization she founded after retiring from the silver screen.
In a statement, the foundation mourned the loss of a woman who “dedicated her life and energy to the cause of the voiceless,” noting that she passed away peacefully at her home in Saint-Tropez.
The Face of a Generation
Known simply by her initials, “B.B.,” Bardot was more than an actress; she was a cultural earthquake. Her breakout role in the 1956 film …And God Created Woman, directed by her then-husband Roger Vadim, redefined femininity and helped spark the sexual revolution of the 1960s.
While Hollywood stars of the era were often polished and poised, Bardot was raw and spontaneous. With her signature blonde “beehive” hair and effortless style, she became a symbol of a new, liberated France.
Intellectuals like Simone de Beauvoir praised her as a “locomotive of women’s history,” a figure who didn’t wait for permission to be herself.
Cause of Death and Recent Health Battles
While the Fondation Brigitte Bardot did not specify an exact medical cause of death in their initial announcement, Bardot had faced a series of health challenges in her final year.
In November 2025, the icon was reportedly hospitalized at the Saint-Jean Hospital in Toulon for ten days to be treated for a respiratory illness.
This followed a previous scare in 2023 during an intense European heatwave, where her husband, Bernard d’Ormale, described her as suffering from “respiratory distraction.”
Friends and associates say that despite her physical frailty, she remained cognitively sharp and deeply involved in her foundation’s advocacy until her final days.
A Sudden Departure from Fame
At the height of her fame in 1973, having appeared in nearly 50 films and recorded numerous hit songs with collaborators like Serge Gainsbourg, Bardot did something unthinkable in the industry: she quit.
“I gave my youth and my beauty to men,” she famously said. “I am now giving my wisdom and my experience to animals.”
She traded the flashbulbs of the Cannes Film Festival for the quiet seclusion of her estate, La Madrague, in Saint-Tropez. From there, she launched a second act that was arguably more impactful than her first.
The Fight for the Voiceless
Bardot’s activism was not a celebrity hobby; it was a mission. She famously traveled to the ice floes of Canada to protest the seal hunt, bringing international attention to practices many had ignored.
In 1986, she established her foundation, funding it by auctioning off her personal belongings and jewelry.
The Fondation Brigitte Bardot became a powerhouse in animal welfare, campaigning against the fur trade, industrial farming, and the mistreatment of stray animals across Europe and beyond.
A Complicated Legacy
In her later years, Bardot remained a figure of both admiration and controversy. While her devotion to animals was undisputed, her outspoken political views and support for the far-right in France led to several legal convictions for inciting racial hatred.
Despite the friction with modern social norms, she remained fiercely patriotic and deeply connected to the French landscape.
The End of an Era
As news of her passing spreads, tributes are pouring in from both the film world and the international activist community. She leaves behind a legacy of uncompromising passion.
Whether she was staring down a camera lens or a government official, Brigitte Bardot never wavered in her belief that life—whether human or animal—deserved to be lived with dignity.
She is survived by her husband, Bernard d’Ormale, and her son, Nicolas-Jacques Charrier.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What was Brigitte Bardot’s cause of death?
As of December 28, 2025, her foundation has stated she passed away peacefully at home. While an official cause was not released, she had been hospitalized recently for respiratory issues and age-related health complications.
Where did Brigitte Bardot die?
She passed away at her famous secluded estate, La Madrague, in Saint-Tropez, located in the south of France.
Why did Brigitte Bardot quit acting?
Bardot retired in 1973 at age 38 because she was disillusioned with the film industry and the loss of privacy. She famously declared she wanted to dedicate the rest of her life to animal rights.
Was Brigitte Bardot married?
Yes, she was married four times: to director Roger Vadim, actor Jacques Charrier, billionaire Gunter Sachs, and finally to Bernard d’Ormale, whom she married in 1992.
What is the Brigitte Bardot Foundation?
Founded in 1986, the Fondation Brigitte Bardot is a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection of wild and domestic animals globally.
Key Facts About Brigitte Bardot
- Born: September 28, 1934, in Paris, France.
- Died: December 28, 2025, at age 91.
- Notable Films: Contempt (1963), Viva Maria! (1965), The Truth (1960).
- Activism: Founded the Fondation Brigitte Bardot in 1986.
For more on her cinematic history, visit her official filmography on IMDb.
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