Brigitte Bardot dies: The life and career of the French film icon | DW News

Key Concepts

• Brigitte Bardot: French actress, singer, and animal welfare activist.
• And God Created Woman (Et Dieu… créa la femme): 1956 film that launched Bardot to international stardom.
• Marianne: National symbol of France, representing liberty and reason.
• Hedonism: Pursuit of pleasure and self-indulgence.
• Animal Welfare Activism: Bardot’s post-acting career focus, particularly concerning seals and the horsemeat industry.
• Political Controversies: Bardot’s support for far-right political figures and controversial statements regarding Muslims, LGBTQ+ individuals, and the #MeToo movement.

Brigitte Bardot’s Life and Legacy

The French actress Brigitte Bardot has died at the age of 91, leaving behind a complex and controversial legacy. Rising to global prominence with the 1956 film And God Created Woman, Bardot appeared in approximately 50 films before retiring from acting in the early 1970s at the age of 39. Following her acting career, she dedicated her life to animal welfare through the Brigitte Bardot Foundation.

The Rise of a Star and a Symbol of a Generation

Bardot’s initial impact stemmed from her “raw sexuality” and distinctive look – characterized by “wild hair and heavy eyeliner” – which became widely imitated. However, critics and audiences alike found her more captivating than many of the films she starred in, even those directed by prominent French filmmakers like Jean Riodar and Louis Mal, which often focused on showcasing her “erotic energy” within light comedies.

She embodied a new, post-war French lifestyle, embracing “pleasure and joy and hedonism.” Her personal life, including a famous affair with singer Serge Gainsbourg, contributed to her public image. Bardot also played a significant role in popularizing the coastal town of Saint-Tropez as a destination for the wealthy and those seeking a more unrestrained lifestyle.

Bardot as Marianne: A National Icon

Bardot transcended the status of a mere actress, becoming a symbol of France itself. She was the first real person to serve as the model for the official image of Marianne, the national personification of the French Republic and a symbol of the French Revolution. This connection was acknowledged by French President Emmanuel Macron in his tribute following her death. Philosopher Simone de Beauvoir famously stated that “Brigitte Bardot deserves to be considered an export product as important as Renault automobiles,” highlighting her cultural significance.

From Acting to Animal Welfare and Beyond

After retiring from acting, Bardot channeled her energy into animal rights activism. She actively campaigned against the killing of baby seals and the horsemeat industry in France. To fund her foundation, the Brigitte Bardot Foundation, she auctioned off her jewelry in the 1980s, famously declaring, “My life no longer belongs to me. It belongs to the rescue of animals.”

Controversies and a Complicated Legacy

Despite her animal welfare work, Bardot’s later life was marked by significant controversies. Her final husband was a strategist for the French far-right, and she publicly endorsed far-right political candidates, including Jean-Marie Le Pen and his daughter Marine Le Pen. She was convicted and fined five times by French courts for inciting racial hatred against Muslims, making statements such as claiming Muslims were “destroying France.”

Furthermore, Bardot voiced opposition to the #MeToo movement, dismissing accusations of sexual harassment as “ridiculous and hypocritical.” She also made derogatory remarks about gay and transgender people throughout her life. These actions have led to a complex and often contradictory assessment of her legacy, with many acknowledging her early contributions while simultaneously distancing themselves from her later views.