Hollywood icon Brigitte Bardot has died aged 91 after battling a ‘sudden illness’. It comes days after she was rushed to hospital following complications after surgery, according to fresh reports.
The French legend was understood to have been recovering at her home in Saint-Tropez when she was suddenly admitted to Saint-Jean Hospital approximately 10 days ago. She was receiving round the clock care before her death.
Bardot was celebrated as sex symbol in 1950s and 60s, and was hailed by the press as the ‘original sex kitten’.
She was also seen as one of the key figures of the ‘Sexual Revolution’ following the war.
(Image: Corbis via Getty Images)
The model turned actress started her by appearing on the cover of Elle magazine at the age of 15.
This led to her being invited to audition for her a movie role where she was introduced to screenwriter Roger Vadim. The pair fell in love and were married just after she turned 18.
Her road to movie stardom started at the age of 17, with appearances in the Crazy for Love and Manina, the Girl in the Bikini.
(Image: Getty Images)
In 1956, her husband’s directorial debut, And God Created Woman, turned Bardot into a global sex symbol.
As well as a movie star, Bardot also became a style icon for women with her blonde locks and winged eyeliner considered a timeless classic still seen copied today.
Bardot also turned consumer culture by championing the bikini with other notable celebrities. In turn, she helped a generation into embracing freedom with their clothes.
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She also shocked the world at the time with her attitude to sex after once declaring: “It is not possible to have only one man”.
Bardot also famously posed nude in a Playboy spread in a move to celebrate the star turning 40.
The sex symbol was married four times, to Roger Vadim, Jacques Charrier and Gunter Sachs, before her final time down the aisle to Bernard d’Ormale.
Last month she reportedly underwent “surgery as part of treatment for a serious illness.” She is believed to have stayed there for a fortnight, before being discharged to her home.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
The Brigitte Bardot Foundation, which she set up to help animal welfare, announced the news to French news agency AFP but did not state when the star had passed away.
The statement read: “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.
It added: “The Brigitte Bardot Foundation wishes to pay tribute to the memory of an exceptional woman who gave up everything for a world more respectful of animals.
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“Her legacy remains, living through the actions and battles that the foundation pursues with the same passion and the same loyalty to her ideals.”
French President Emmanuel Macron has also paid tribute to Bardot and described her as “a legend of the century”.
On X, he wrote: “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.
“A French existence, universal brilliance. She touched us. We mourn a legend of the century.”
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Bardot resided in an opulent villa in La Madrague, Saint-Tropez, where she previously hit back at bogus claims she was unwell – or even deceased.
At the time, she posted a statement on X, declaring: “I’m fine. I don’t know which idiot started this ‘fake news’ about my disappearance tonight, but know that I’m fine and I have no intention of bowing out.”
Bardot’s spokespeople at the time verified that she had undergone minor surgery which was successful.
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The star has previously spoken candidly about her health battles.
Bardot was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1984 but had recovered in 1986.
Ahead of her 90th birthday, she disclosed to La Parisienne: “I can hardly walk anymore, I’m dependent on crutches, and dancing is very difficult for me.”
In 2023, Bardot was hospitalised following respiratory failure. Since then, similar recent rumours have been swirling about her poor health.
(Image: Hulton Archive)
A despicable social media troll falsely claimed to possess “exclusive information” regarding the star’s supposed demise.
The post stated: “Her coffin was ordered in Saint-Paul-de-Jarrat in the 09 (Ariège) department. An icon has passed away, leaving behind an unforgettable legacy and an internal imprint on the hearts of the French.”
This sparked the fierce rebuttal from Bardot, yet instead of retreating, the influencer persisted with their false assertions about her death.
(Image: AFP/Getty Images)
They claimed: “I deleted my exclusive tweet about Brigitte Bardot’s death. It’s not her who manages her Twitter, you’ll see when AFP officially announces the death.”
It has subsequently been revealed that these allegations were completely fabricated – with the star believed to have only received treatment for “minor” health concerns at the time.
