In brief
French cinema star Brigitte Bardot, who became an international symbol of sexual liberation and a pioneer in the industry during the 1950s, has died at 91. Known primarily for her iconic films and her later dedication to animal welfare, Bardot's legacy is a mix of admiration and controversy due to her later remarks on social issues. French President Emmanuel Macron called her a 'legend of the century' as the world reflects on her significant impact both on film and activism.
French actress Brigitte Bardot, who revolutionised 1950s French cinema and became a symbol of sexual liberation, has died aged 91.
The cinema icon - BB as she was known in her home country - acted in almost 50 films, including And God Created Woman, but retired in 1973 to devote her life to animal welfare.
French President Emmanuel Macron said the nation was mourning a legend of the century, while the Brigitte Bardot Foundation remembered her as a world-renowned actress.
Later in life, Bardot's reputation was damaged after she made homophobic slurs and was fined multiple times for inciting racial hatred.
The Brigitte Bardot Foundation announced her death with immense sadness, stating that she was a world-renowned actress and singer, who chose to abandon her prestigious career to dedicate her life and energy to animal welfare.
Paying tribute, Macron wrote: Her films, her voice, her dazzling glory, her initials, her sorrows, her generous passion for animals, her face that became Marianne. Brigitte Bardot embodied a life of freedom.
Bardot's life story includes a wealth of iconic roles and achievements, as well as controversies, highlighting a complex figure in the landscape of modern culture.
