Euronews - 28 december 2025 - Brigitte Bardot, whose image defined an era of cinema and style, has died at 91, leaving behind a legacy captured in some of the most iconic photographs of the 20th century.

 

Brigitte Bardot's life in pictures: From 1950s sex symbol to militant animal rights activist

Copyright AP Photo

By euronews

Published on 28/12/2025 - 13:23 GMT+1 •Updated 17:36

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Brigitte Bardot, whose image defined an era of cinema and style, has died at 91, leaving behind a legacy captured in some of the most iconic photographs of the 20th century.

Brigitte Bardot, the legendary French actress whose face, style and presence became visual symbols of the 1960s, has died at the age of 91.

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From her breakthrough in 'And God Created Woman' to her years as a global fashion and cultural icon, Bardot’s life was documented through unforgettable images that shaped modern celebrity.

Later, those same photographs reflected her transformation into a fierce animal rights activist, marking a life lived under the world’s lens.

French actress Brigitte Bardot poses with a huge sombrero she brought back from Mexico, as she arrives at Orly Airport in Paris AP Photo

French actress Brigitte Bardot poses in character from the motion picture "Voulez-Vous Danser Avec Moi" AP1959

Brigitte Bardot poses in character, Jan. 24, 1958. AP1958

French film actress Brigitte Bardot and her husband Gunter Sachs pose just before boarding a chartered airplane on their honeymoon in Las Vegas on July 14, 1966. 1966 AP

French actress Brigitte Bardot with actor Jack Palance during filming of the movie "Le Mepris" aka "Contempt", by Jean-Luc Godard, in Rome, Italy, May 1963. AP

Former French movie star and animals rights activist Brigitte Bardot gestures during a demonstration to protest the duration of the transport of animals for butchery, Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Former French film star Brigitte Bardot attends a press conference in Brussels, April 15, 1992, protesting against cruelty against animals in Europe, Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Former actress and animals rights activist Brigitte Bardot after a meeting on the environment with French President Nicolas Sarkozy at the Elysee Palace, Sept. 27, 2007 AP

French actress Brigitte Bardot, center is surrounded by animal rights protestors during a demonstration against transporting live animals in Brussels, Monday, Feb. 20, 1995. AP1995