Brigitte Bardot, the iconic French actress and singer, died at the age of 91. She had been ill in hospital in Toulon, with her animal rights charity confirming her passing on Sunday morning. Bardot, once a prominent sex symbol of the 20th century, had retired from her acting career in 1973 to dedicate her life to animal welfare and her foundation.
Her death has prompted widespread tributes from Hollywood and the fashion world. Celebrities such as Sofia Vergara, Christie Brinkley, and Lindsay Lohan took to social media to share iconic images and honor Bardot's influence on beauty, cinema, and culture. French President Emmanuel Macron described her as a "legend who embodied a life of freedom" and a "universal radiance." PETA founder Ingrid Newkirk hailed Bardot as an "angel for animals" for her extensive work in animal protection.
Bardot rose to international fame with her role in the 1956 film And God Created Woman, which cemented her status as a global star. Throughout her career, she starred in 47 films and recorded over 70 songs. Despite her success, Bardot also struggled with the pressures of celebrity, attempting suicide multiple times and speaking candidly about her challenges with motherhood and relationships. She established the Brigitte Bardot Foundation in 1986 and became a prominent animal rights activist. While her later years included controversy due to her political views and convictions for inciting racial hatred, her enduring influence on fashion and beauty, from the "Bardot neckline" to her signature hairstyle, continues to inspire. She spent her later years living reclusively in Saint-Tropez with her fourth husband.