French actor, singer and model, Brigitte Bardot, who ruled French cinema in 1960s has died at the age of 91. Often regarded as one of the greatest screen sirens of the 20th century, and later an animal rights activist, breathed her last in her South France home.
Brigitte Bardot dies at 91
Bruno Jacquelin, of the Brigitte Bardot Foundation for the protection of animals, confirmed her death. He told The Associated Press that Brigitte died at her home in southern France, although he did not provide a cause of death. He added that no arrangements had yet been made for funeral or memorial services. Notably, she had been hospitalised last month.
Brigitte became an international celebrity for her image as a sexualised teen bride in the 1956 movie And God Created Woman. The film, directed by her then-husband, Roger Vadim, had triggered a scandal back in the day due to scenes of the long-legged beauty dancing on tables naked.
About Brigitte Bardot
Brigitte Anne-Marie Bardot was born in Paris on September 28, 1934. She grew up in an upper-middle-class household. Brigitte was a shy, secretive and self-conscious child who she describes as “wore spectacles and had lank hair”. She studied classical ballet and was discovered by a family friend who then put her on the cover of Elle magazine at age 14.
Brigitte once said her childhood was “difficult”, revealing that her industrialist father was a strict disciplinarian who sometimes punished her with a horse whip. In a career spanning some 28 films, Brigette was married thrice. Her tousled, blond hair, voluptuous figure and pouty demeanour made her one of France’s best-known stars.
At the age of just 21, she scandalised censors and charmed audiences. Her free-spirited performance in the 1956 film, And God Created Woman, shot by her husband Roger Vadim, turned out to be a decisive break from the demure heroines of the previous era. However, later she fell from public grace when her animal protection commentary turned into a decidedly extremist tone. Besides, her far-right political views often came out as racist since she frequently decried the influx of immigrants into France.
Interestingly, Brigitte was convicted five times in the French courts of inciting racial hatred. She criticised the Muslim practice of slaughtering sheep during annual religious festivals.
