Brigitte Bardot, the undeniable icon of French cinema and global sex symbol, is about to blow out her 90 candles this Saturday, September 28, 2024. And as usual, she doesn’t do things halfway! To mark the event, she reflects on her life, her memories, and, of course, her eternal fight for the animal cause. From her sunny refuge in Saint-Tropez, where she now lives far from the tumult, Bardot has agreed to open up with the frankness she is known for. On the agenda: reflections on age, fame, and her ever-burning commitment to our four-legged friends.
An eternal star who said goodbye to cinema 50 years ago
Brigitte Bardot, the shooting star of the 60s, left the film sets more than 50 years ago. Since her legendary role in And God Created Woman by Roger Vadim in 1956, she has entered the pantheon of living legends. But in 1973, at only 38 years old, she decided to bow out. Glamour, not for her! "I turned the page on cinema a long time ago. Frankly, I am delighted to have reached this venerable age, but that era is far behind me," she says with a smile.
Although she deserted the studios, her fame never left her. Thanks to her global aura, she was able to give voice to her causes, especially the one for animal protection. "Cinema is the past," she declares bluntly. "Today, what drives me is the defense of 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 the animal cause. And there is one battle that has haunted her for decades: banning the consumption of horse meat in France. "I’ve been screaming for 50 years for people to stop eating horses, and I still haven’t succeeded!" she says, half-bitter, half-dismayed. If you’re looking for a gift idea for her 90th birthday, take note: the abolition of 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 have understood my message, and I am infinitely grateful to them."
A soothing solitude
Far from the paparazzi and the limelight, Brigitte Bardot leads a peaceful life, surrounded by nature and her animals. She readily admits that she prefers the company of animals to that of humans: "I flee humanity, and this silent solitude suits me very well." She does not hesitate to express her dismay at the state of the world but finds her balance in her relationship with nature, far from the human hustle and bustle.
Paul Watson, a shared fight
Bardot is not only active on the French front; she also supports international figures like Paul Watson, an environmental activist and whale protector, currently detained in Greenland. She denounces his arrest as a "blatant injustice" and calls for recognition of 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 sparkling career of the former star, revisiting the significant 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.
Moreover, Pathé Live has just unveiled the trailer for a documentary dedicated to Bardot, scheduled for release in May 2025. This film will revisit her life, her dark sides, and her controversial political commitments, with testimonials from personalities such as Claude Lelouch and Naomi Campbell.
Brigitte Bardot, legend of the seventh art and tireless activist, continues to fascinate at 90 years old. More than a birthday, it is a celebration of an extraordinary life – a life that, although it has left the sets, still shines brightly under the spotlight of the animal cause.
