French actress Brigitte Bardot, who revolutionised 1950s French cinema and became a symbol of sexual liberation, has died aged 91.
The cinema icon - BB as she was known in her home country - acted in almost 50 films, including And God Created Woman, but retired in 1973 to devote her life to animal welfare.
French President Emmanuel Macron said the nation was mourning a legend of the century, while the Brigitte Bardot Foundation remembered her as a world-renowned actress.
Later in life, Bardot's reputation was damaged after she made homophobic slurs and was fined multiple times for inciting racial hatred.
The animal welfare organisation she founded expressed its deep sadness at her passing, stating she had committed her life to animal causes after her critical and controversial career in film.
Bardot became famous for her roles in films such as The Truth and Contempt, showcasing both her dramatic and comedic talents. Despite her success, her life was punctuated by a series of controversies due to her outspoken comments on various social issues.
Brigitte Anne-Marie Bardot was born in Paris in 1934, initially aspiring to be a ballerina before transitioning into a phenomenal career in film during her teenage years. She pushed boundaries of societal norms in cinema with her portrayals of sexually liberated women, symbolizing the era's sexual revolution.
In her retirement, she became an advocate for animal rights, founding the Brigitte Bardot Foundation, which still operates today. Amid her extensive work in welfare, Bardot’s later years were marred by controversial statements regarding culture and sexuality, ultimately complicating her legacy in the public eye.
