Brigitte Bardot has died at the age of 91. No cause of death has been released. Her foundation released a statement confirming her death on Sunday, Dec. 28.
Videos by Wide Open Country
"The Brigitte Bardot Foundation announces with immense sadness the death of its founder and president, Madame Brigitte Bardot, a world-renowned actress and singer, who chose to abandon her prestigious career to dedicate her life and energy to animal welfare and her foundation,"
the statement read.Bardot reportedly underwent surgery for a serious illness in October, according to TMZ.
The French actress rose to fame in 1956 with her role in And God Created Women. The role established Bardot as one of the first international sex symbols.
Before her big break, Bardot made her living as a teenage model, even landing on the cover of Elle magazine at the age of 15. However, once she transitioned to the big screen, she shot to fame and never looked back.
During her on-screen career, Bardot appeared in movies such as Naughty Girl and Babetter Goes To War. IMDB has La Verite as Bardot's highest-ranked movie, giving the flick a 7.6 out of 10. Yet it was in 1968 when Bardot was introduced to a wider American audience, sharing the screen with Sean Connery in the movie Shalako.
Unfortunately, the fame became too much for Bardot, leading her to retire from the movie world at the age of 39. She had battled mental health issues during the final years of her career.
French President Emmanuel Macron Issues Statement on Bardot's Passing
Outside her life as a movie star, Bardot was also a keen animal rights activist. Between her on-screen work and her passion for civil activism, she became one of France's most beloved people. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that Emmanuel Macron, the French President himself, released a statement upon the news of Badot's passing.
"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," the statement read.
Her husband and son survive Bardot. Currently, there has been no information on whether her funeral will be a private affair or open to the public. However, given her status, France is likely in mourning.
