Credits: After Studio Harcourt / Ministry of Culture — public domain — AI retouch (OpenAI / DALL·E).
Brigitte Bardot, undeniable icon of French cinema and global sex symbol, is about to blow out 90 candles this Saturday, September 28, 2024. And as usual, she doesn’t do things by halves! To mark the occasion, she looks back on her life, her memories and, of course, her lifelong fight for animal rights. From her sun-drenched refuge in Saint-Tropez, where she now lives far from the turmoil, Bardot agreed to speak with the frankness she’s known for. On the program: reflections on age, fame, and her still-burning commitment to our four-legged friends.
An Eternal Star Who Said Goodbye to Film 50 Years Ago
Brigitte Bardot, the shooting star of the 1960s, left film sets more than 50 years ago. Since her legendary role in And God Created Woman by Roger Vadim in 1956, she entered the pantheon of living legends. But in 1973, at just 38, she decided to bow out. Glamour, very little for her! "I turned the page on cinema a long time ago. Frankly, I’m delighted to have reached this venerable age, but that era is far behind me," she says with a smile.
Though she deserted the studios, her fame never left her. Thanks to her global aura, she has been able to give voice to her causes, especially animal protection. "Cinema is the past," she states bluntly. "Today, what drives me is defending animals. It’s my engine."
An Activist Who Never Gives Up
Since the creation of the Brigitte Bardot Foundation in 1986, she has devoted most of her time to defending animal causes. And there is one battle that has haunted her for decades: banning the consumption of horse meat in France. "I’ve been shouting for 50 years for people to stop eating horses, and I still haven’t won!" she says, half-bitter, half-disappointed. If you’re looking for a birthday gift idea for her 90th, take note: abolishing hippophagy would make her happy!
Despite her disillusionment with the slow pace of political progress, Bardot remains a respected figure, largely for her authenticity and freedom of speech. And she can count on the support of the French: "They are wonderful! I receive letters that warm my heart. They’ve understood my message, and I’m infinitely grateful to them."
A Soothing Solitude
Far from paparazzi and the spotlight, Brigitte Bardot leads a peaceful life, surrounded by nature and her animals. She freely confides that she prefers the company of beasts to that of men: "I flee humanity, and this silent solitude suits me very well." She does not hesitate to express her distress about the state of the world, but finds her balance in her relationship with nature, far from the clamor of humans.
Paul Watson, A Shared Fight
Bardot is not only active on the French front; she also supports international figures like Paul Watson, environmental activist and whale protector, currently detained in Greenland. She denounces his arrest as a "flagrant injustice" and calls to recognize his commitment to the oceans. At 90, Brigitte Bardot has lost none of her bite.
A Career Celebrated Under the Spotlight
On the occasion of her 90th birthday, France 3 Côte d’Azur will broadcast a special series retracing the glittering career of the former star, revisiting the milestone places of her life, from Saint-Tropez to the Victorine studios in Nice. A special program is also planned for September 27, live from Saint-Tropez, to pay tribute to the woman who made this small Var port a symbol of French glamour.
Additionally, Pathé Live has just unveiled the trailer for a documentary dedicated to Bardot, due to be released in May 2025. This film will revisit her life, her shadows and her controversial political commitments, with testimonials from personalities such as Claude Lelouch and Naomi Campbell.
Brigitte Bardot, legend of the silver screen and tireless activist, continues to fascinate at 90. More than a birthday, it’s a celebration of an extraordinary life — a life that, though she left the sets, still shines under the spotlight of the animal cause.