Unforgettable star of French cinema Brigitte Bardot has passed away

Brigitte Bardot, one of the iconic names of French cinema who had been battling various health issues for a long time and had frequently made headlines in recent months due to reports of being hospitalized, has passed away.

The legendary actress of cinema was 91 years old. The news of Bardot's death, who starred in over 50 films throughout her career, was announced by the Brigitte Bardot Foundation.

Regarding Bardot, who was hospitalized twice in succession in recent months, death rumors had occasionally emerged, but the famous actress had personally denied these claims and stated that her health was good. It was learned that Bardot had undergone surgery at the beginning of October and had returned to her home in Saint-Tropez after about three weeks of treatment.

WHO IS BRIGITTE BARDOT?

Born in Paris in 1934, Brigitte Bardot received ballet training at the Paris National Conservatory of Music and Dance. Becoming known as the cover girl for the French magazine Elle at the age of 15, Bardot stood out in the field of modeling during the early period of her career.

Stepping into acting in 1952, Bardot drew the attention of the international public with her bikini poses on the beach at the 1953 Cannes Film Festival.

In the 1950s and 1960s, she gained worldwide fame with her unique style, strong stage presence, and roles that challenged the norms of the era.

Making her big breakthrough with the 1956 film 'And God Created Woman', written and directed by her then-husband Roger Vadim, Bardot became one of the most well-known representatives of the "sex symbol" image during this period.

In the 1960s, she was remembered as one of the most important faces of French cinema with her performances in Henri-Georges Clouzot's 'The Truth', Louis Malle's 'A Very Private Affair', and Jean-Luc Godard's 'Contempt'. She also took part in international productions such as 'Viva Maria!', in which she starred alongside Jeanne Moreau, and 'Shalako', where she appeared on camera with Sean Connery.

Retiring from cinema in the early 1970s, Bardot turned to politics and social issues. She drew attention especially with her harsh statements on animal rights. However, in later years, she was tried many times on charges of racism due to her controversial statements about ethnic minorities and her support for the far-right National Front in France.

Establishing the Brigitte Bardot Foundation in 1986, the artist carried out an active struggle for the protection of animals. She also made headlines with protest letters addressed to world leaders on issues such as seal hunting and dog culling.

Brigitte Bardot was married four times during her life. After her marriages to Roger Vadim (1952-1957), Jacques Charrier (1959-1962), and Gunter Sachs (1966-1969), she married Bernard d'Ormale in 1992.

A son named Nicolas-Jacques Charrier was born from her second marriage in 1960. Bardot had openly expressed that she did not embrace the role of motherhood and had maintained a distant relationship with her son for many years. The expressions she used regarding her unborn baby had been a subject of public debate for years.

News Source: 12punto