French actress, singer, and cultural icon Brigitte Bardot died at the age of 91 at her home in southern France, according to a statement released by her foundation on December 28, 2025.

Bardot became one of the most recognizable international celebrities of the 1950s and 1960s, gaining worldwide fame after starring in the 1956 film “And God Created Woman.” Nicknamed “B.B.,” she appeared in 56 films and became a symbol of glamour, sexual liberation, and French cinema during her career.In 1969, her image was chosen as the model for Marianne, the national emblem of France, further cementing her cultural significance.At the peak of her fame, Bardot retired from acting in 1973 at the age of 39 and shifted her focus toward animal welfare activism.

She founded the Brigitte Bardot Foundation in 1986 and campaigned for decades against animal cruelty, seal hunting, animal testing, and the consumption of horse and dog meat.Her advocacy work became a defining part of her later life.

The article also notes that Bardot remained a controversial public figure because of her political views and support for France’s far-right National Rally party.

Following news of her death, French President Emmanuel Macron described her as a “legend of the century” who represented freedom and global influence.Political leader Marine Le Pen also paid tribute to Bardot, calling her uniquely French and untamable.

Before her death, Bardot reportedly experienced several health issues in late 2025, including hospitalizations in October and November, and had publicly denied false rumors about her death only weeks earlier.