French film legend Brigitte Bardot has died at the age of 91, according to a statement from the Brigitte Bardot Foundation. Bardot, celebrated worldwide as a defining symbol of 1950s and ’60s cinema and later as a committed animal rights campaigner, passed away on Sunday, ending an extraordinary and often controversial life in the public eye. 

Born Brigitte Anne-Marie Bardot on September 28, 1934 in Paris, she emerged from modeling and early acting roles to international fame with her breakthrough performance in And God Created Woman (1956). Directed by her then-husband Roger Vadim, the film challenged the era’s cinematic norms and established Bardot as a global sex symbol and emblem of sexual liberation. 

Across a film career that spanned more than two decades, Bardot appeared in approximately 47 films, including notable works such as Contempt and The Truth. Yet she often expressed frustration that her public image overshadowed her ambitions as a serious actress, lamenting that much of her career was defined by her physical allure rather than her craft. 

In 1973, at the height of her fame, Bardot made the dramatic decision to retire from cinema. She turned her full attention to animal welfare, founding the Brigitte Bardot Foundation for the Welfare and Protection of Animals in 1986. Over subsequent decades, she campaigned vigorously against animal cruelty worldwide, addressing issues from seal hunting to factory farming. 

However, Bardot’s later years were not without controversy. Her outspoken views on immigration and religion led to multiple convictions in France for inciting racial hatred, complicating her legacy and sparking debate about her place in cultural memory. 

Tributes have poured in following the announcement of her death. French President Emmanuel Macron praised her as “a legend of the century,” underscoring her enduring impact on French culture and cinema. 

Brigitte Bardot leaves behind a multifaceted legacy—as a pioneering actress who helped redefine on-screen portrayals of women, and as a fervent—and at times polarizing—advocate for animal rights.