French Film Star Brigitte Bardot Has Died

French film star Brigitte Bardot has died at the age of 91, reports AFP, citing the Brigitte Bardot Foundation.

“She embodied some of the most famous initials in cinema history. Brigitte Bardot, known as 'BB', symbolized the liberation of women and sexual freedom in French cinema from the 1950s to the 1970s, and later became a pioneer in the fight against animal cruelty,” the foundation stated.

Bardot, a French actress, singer, model, and social activist, was one of the most significant style icons of the 20th century. She was born on September 28, 1934, in Paris. She achieved worldwide fame with the film “And God Created Woman” (1956), which made her a symbol of sexual liberation and a new female archetype in post-war Europe. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, she appeared in over 40 films, collaborated with leading French directors, and became the face of an era. Her style, hairstyle, and demeanor were imitated around the world.

In 1973, Brigitte Bardot announced her retirement from film to dedicate herself to animal rights advocacy. She founded the Brigitte Bardot Foundation and actively fought against animal cruelty and industrial exploitation.

Bardot remains a cultural phenomenon, with her influence on cinema, fashion, and public perceptions of women's liberation still felt today.