Brigitte Bardot: A Life of Liberation and Controversy
Brigitte Bardot, who has died at the age of 91, swept away cinema's staid 1950s' portrayal of women - coming to personify a new age of sexual liberation.
On screen, she was a French cocktail of kittenish charm and continental sensuality. One publication called her the princess of pout and the countess of come hither, but it was an image she grew to loathe.
Ruthlessly marketed as a hedonistic sex symbol, Bardot was frustrated in her ambition to become a serious actress. Eventually, she abandoned her career to campaign for animal welfare.
Years later, her reputation was damaged when she made homophobic slurs and was fined multiple times for inciting racial hatred. Her son also sued her for emotional damage after she said she would have preferred to give birth to a little dog.
It was a scar on the memory of an icon, who - in her prime - put the bikini, female desire, and French cinema on the map.
Life as a 'jeune fille'
Brigitte Anne-Marie Bardot was born in Paris on 28 September 1934. With her wealthy and pious Catholic parents, she grew up in a luxurious apartment.
Her mother encouraged her interest in ballet, enrolling her in classes from a young age, but she found life claustrophobic. At 15, she began seeking alternatives, eventually causing a stir by posing for the cover of Elle magazine.
Becoming an Icon
Under the mentorship and romantic involvement of director Roger Vadim, Bardot's career began to take shape. His film, And God Created Woman, not only opened the door to her as a serious leading lady but also ignited controversy and debate on sexuality in cinema.
However, the intense public scrutiny that followed was relentless and overwhelming, leading to a tumultuous and troubled personal life marred by multiple marriages and highly publicized affairs.
Animal Rights Campaigner
After nearly 50 films, Bardot announced her retirement to dedicate herself to animal welfare in 1973, establishing the Brigitte Bardot Foundation.
Despite her history, her later years were marred by legal troubles and controversies over her political views, making her a divisive figure in contemporary discussions surrounding race and morality.
A Troubled End to a Troubled Life
Brigitte Bardot's life story is a complex tapestry of cultural iconography, personal struggle, activism, and tragic controversies. As the years passed, the repercussions of her outspoken opinions resonated, leading her to lead a semi-reclusive life embroiled in legal battles against charges of racial and homophobic sentiments.
