Brigitte Bardot dies aged 91 years old
French film legend Brigitte Bardot has died at the age of 91 years old.
The actress and model’s death was confirmed by her foundation, The Brigitte Bardot Foundation.
The blonde beauty soared to fame following her appearance in And God created Woman in 1956, and appeared in more than 50 other movies in her years following.
French film legend Brigitte Bardot has died at the age of 91 years old. Pic: Franco Origlia/Getty Images
The Paris-born star shied away from Hollywood over the years, and turned her attention to animal rights activism.
A statement from The Brigitte Bardot Foundation released on Sunday confirmed the death of its founder and president.
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.’
Brigitte in the 1960s. Pic: Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images
Ms Bardot’s death comes not long after she underwent surgery in the Saint-Jean private hospital in Toulon.
As per local newspaper Var-Martin, Bardot was admitted to the hospital and had ‘surgery there as part of a serious illness,’ though details on the illness were not released.
Other movies Bardot appeared in include 1960s The Truth, A Very Private Affair (1962) and 1965’s Viva Maria.
Brigitte Bardot. Pic: Eric Feferberg/AFP via Getty Images
Following her acting career, she went on to dedicate her life to rescuing and rehabilitating animals and founded the Brigitte Bardot Foundation in 1986.
The organisation fights against animal cruelty in all its forms, including fur farming, hunting and bullfighting.
RTÉ report that Ms Bardot got her calling for animal rights activism when she encountered a goat on the set of The Edifying and Joyous Story of Colinot, which was her last movie appearance.
In a bid to save the animal from being killed, Bardot bought it and kept it in her hotel room.
