Brigitte Bardot, the French actress who became an international sex symbol and later dedicated her life to animal rights, died at the age of 91. Her death was announced Sunday by her foundation, according to Fortune, which stated that Bardot had chosen to abandon her prestigious movie career to defend animal welfare.
Bardot revolutionized French cinema in the 1950s and became an international symbol of sexual liberation, according to BBC World. She set the standard for a generation of curvy, pouting actresses with her role as a self-assured small-town sexpot in "And God Created Woman" (1956), Fortune reported. Throughout the 1970s, she was the model for Marianne, the female incarnation of the French republic whose profile adorns stamps and coins.
Bardot quit making movies at age 39, Fortune noted, to dedicate herself to animal rights activism. Her foundation announced her death, stating she dedicated her life and energy to defend animal welfare.
While celebrated for her cinematic contributions and later animal rights activism, Bardot's legacy is also marked by controversies surrounding homophobic and racially insensitive remarks, reflecting complex social issues in France and beyond, according to BBC World. These controversies included convictions for inciting racial hatred, BBC World reported, reflecting complex social issues in France.
Her death marks the end of an era for French cinema and sparks reflection on her multifaceted impact on global culture, BBC World noted.
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