End of an era: The world says goodbye to Brigitte Bardot (5 photos)

On December 28, 2025, the legendary French actress and icon of world cinema, Brigitte Bardot, passed away.





The death of one of the brightest stars of the 20th century was announced by her own Fondation Brigitte Bardot in an official statement released to Agence France-Presse. Bardot died at the age of 91 at her residence, La Madrague, in Saint-Tropez. It was the very house that became a symbol of her secluded life away from the spotlight in recent decades.



1950s (Young Star at the Cannes Film Festival)

Brigitte Bardot was born on September 28, 1934, in Paris and, even in her youth, became a symbol of freedom, beauty, and the sexual revolution. Her breakthrough came in 1956 with Roger Vadim's "And God Created Woman," in which she played a role that simultaneously shocked and delighted the world.

Jean-Luc Godard's "Contempt," Henri-Georges Clouzot's "The Truth," and Jacques Charry's "Vive Marie!" cemented her status as an international star. Her image—light, blonde hair, sensual lips, and a daring gaze—became the epitome of femininity for decades to come.





1960s (Peak of Fame, Iconic Image)

In 1973, at the height of her fame, at the age of just 39, Bardot unexpectedly ended her film career, having appeared in over forty films. She attributed this to fatigue from the pressures of fame and a desire to dedicate her life to animal rights.



1970s (on the set of one of her last films)

Since then, her main passion has been fighting for animal rights: in 1986, she founded the Fondation Brigitte Bardot, which has become one of the most active organizations in this field. Bardot has repeatedly participated in high-profile campaigns against seal hunting, fur wearing, and animal cruelty, for which she has received both recognition and harsh criticism for her harsh statements.



Later Years (shortly before her 90th birthday)

In her final years, the actress led a secluded life, rarely appearing in public. She suffered several health problems, including cancer and respiratory failure. The cause of death has not been officially announced, but her loved ones say it was a natural decline after a long and eventful life.

Condolences have already been expressed by French President Emmanuel Macron, who called her a "French legend, free and daring," as well as by numerous cultural figures around the world. Brigitte Bardot has passed away, leaving behind not only a bright mark on the history of cinema but also a tremendous legacy of fighting for what she believed in with all her heart.