Brigitte Bardot died Sunday, December 28, aged 91, in Toulon, France. This was confirmed by the foundation bearing her name in a statement to Agence France-Presse.
According to BBCThe statement read: “It is with great sadness that the Brigitte Bardot Foundation announces the death of its founder and president, Madame Brigitte Bardot, an internationally renowned actress and singer, who decided to give up her prestigious career to dedicate her life and energy to animal welfare and her foundation.”
Bardot, originally from Paris, was hospitalized in October due to a serious illness and soon after had to be admitted for a second time to a medical center in Toulon, a town near her home on the French Riviera. Her public appearances have been few and far between in recent years, although she reappeared last September to launch her autobiography, entitled My BBcedar.
Considered a true icon of French cinema, Bardot left behind more than 40 films. Names like And God created woman (1956), Contempt (1963) and Privacy (1962) cemented her status and showcased her sensuality on the big screen. However, after two decades of fame and an unprecedented media frenzy, she decided to retire from film and public life in 1973, radically changing her career path and devoting herself to animal rights.
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