Brigitte Bardot, the French actress who became an international symbol of sexual liberation and revolutionized cinema in the 1950s, died at the age of 91. Her death was announced Sunday by her foundation, according to Fortune, marking the end of an era for French cinema and sparking reflection on her multifaceted impact on global culture, according to BBC World.
Bardot, who abandoned her prestigious movie career to dedicate her life and energy to defending animal welfare, set the standard for a generation of female sex symbols in the 1960s, Fortune reported. She was the archetype of beauty to millions of men, spawning an era of curvy, pouting, insouciant actresses with her role as a self-assured small-town sexpot in "And God Created Woman" (1956), according to Fortune.
Throughout the 1970s, she was the model for Marianne, the female incarnation of the French republic whose profile adorns stamps and coins, Fortune noted. Bardot quit making movies at age 39.
While celebrated for her cinematic contributions and later animal rights activism, Bardot's legacy is also marked by controversies, BBC World reported. These controversies stem from homophobic and racially insensitive remarks, reflecting complex social issues in France and beyond, according to BBC World. These controversies reflect ongoing debates about freedom of expression and social responsibility in the global arena, BBC World noted.
Her death prompts reflection on her impact on global cinema and evolving cultural values, BBC World reported.
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