Introduction to Brigitte Bardot
Brigitte Bardot, an icon of French cinema and one of the country’s most famous stars, has died at the age of 91. Often referred to only by her initials, BB was considered both a feminist and a femme fatale – but controversy also became a recurring theme in her life. Brigitte Bardot was born in Paris on September 28, 1934, the daughter of an industrialist, and was discovered as a model at the age of 15. She became even more in demand when she dyed her brunette hair blonde, making her one of the most famous "blondes" of the 20th century, not unlike Marilyn Monroe.
Early Career and Rise to Fame
Well into the 21st century, fashion magazines celebrated “BB-Blond” as the perfect shade of blonde. Bardot began appearing in films at the age of 18, but international interest was first sparked by Roger Vadim’s 1956 romantic drama in which she portrayed a liberated young woman in a prestigious beach town. In the USA the film was considered too shocking to be shown. Some theater managers who showed it were arrested. But this contributed to the film’s success rather than hindering it, and Bardot became an international star.
Film Career and Musical Ventures
She then appeared in more than 40 films, including Jean-Luc Godard’s film (1963), Henri-Georges Clouzots (1960) and Louis Malles (1965). Bardot also recorded many popular songs in the 1960s and 1970s, collaborating with artists such as Serge Gainsbourg and Sacha Distel. As a model, she was a muse for great designers such as Dior, Balmain and Pierre Cardin. Her numerous love stories and affairs repeatedly made headlines and she became an icon of sexual liberation of the time.
Icon of Sexual Liberation
In her 1959 essay "The Lolita Syndrome," Simone de Beauvoir described BB as a "locomotive of women’s history" and declared her the most liberated woman in postwar France. Bardot retired from acting in 1973 but remained a major star throughout her life. From 1969 to 1978, she modeled for the official busts of Marianne, France’s national symbol of freedom.
From Acting to Animal Welfare
Instead of acting, she increasingly used her international fame to advocate for animal rights and welfare, which would become the main focus of her life. Among other things, she called for the introduction of bolt guns in slaughterhouses in order to kill animals as painlessly as possible. In 1976 she took part in a global campaign against seal hunting. In 1986 she founded the Brigitte Bardot Foundation, which continues to promote animal protection worldwide today.
Later Life and Controversies
Later in her life, she made headlines for alleged racially insensitive comments and was repeatedly fined by French courts for stoking racial hatred against Muslims or native Indian Ocean islanders. In 2012, Bardot emerged as an ardent supporter of far-right French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen, once calling her "the Joan of Arc of the 21st century" who would "save France." Bardot also repeatedly spoke out about gay rights and gender issues, although she denied being homophobic and said she had many gay friends.
Legacy
But despite her many controversial statements, Brigitte Bardot’s iconic status will remain firmly anchored in pop culture history. Her impact on the film industry, fashion, and animal welfare will be remembered for generations to come.
