French actress Brigitte Bardot, one of the most influential figures in European cinema of the 20th century, has died at the age of 91. Her death was reported by Le Figaro.
Earlier this autumn, French media reported that Bardot had been hospitalized for several weeks in a private clinic in the Var department due to serious health issues and had undergone surgery. Details of her condition were not disclosed at the time.
Born in Paris on September 28, 1934, Bardot trained as a ballet dancer before making her film debut in 1952 in Jean Boyer’s comedy Crazy for Love (Le Trou normand). She went on to become an international star and a symbol of French cinema and style.
Over the course of her career, Bardot appeared in 48 films. She was particularly known for her roles in romantic comedies, as well as acclaimed dramas such as The Truth (1960) and Jean-Luc Godard’s Contempt (1963). She retired from acting in 1973 at the height of her fame.
After leaving the film industry, Bardot devoted herself to animal rights activism, becoming one of France’s most prominent advocates in the field. She also recorded dozens of songs—some in collaboration with Serge Gainsbourg and Sacha Distel—and authored several books. In later decades, she attracted controversy for outspoken views on immigration and Islam in France, which led to multiple court rulings against her for incitement-related offenses.
