French Cinema Icon Brigitte Bardot Passes Away at 91, Leaving Behind a Legacy of Activism and Glamour
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Brigitte Bardot, a French cinema icon and animal rights activist, has passed away at 91, according to French media and The Associated Press. Born to international fame with her performances in films like And God Created Woman and Viva Maria!, Bardot went on to become a leading advocate for animal welfare, dedicating her life to the cause after leaving her acting career in 1973. A renowned actress, singer, and model, Bardot amassed a substantial fortune estimated between $65 million and $100 million through her film roles, modeling contracts, and property investments. Her 1960s earnings, including $350,000 for Viva Maria!, would be equivalent to approximately $3.66 million today. Her memoir, Initiales B.B., generated an additional $4 million in 1966. Bardot's real estate portfolio included her primary residence, La Madrague, in Saint Tropez, valued at no less than $23 million, and Le Castelet, a medieval hillside property near Cannes, listed for sale in 2020 at around $6.5 million. However, Bardot's later life was marred by controversy, as she faced multiple legal challenges for her comments deemed to incite racial hatred. She was found guilty in several cases related to her statements on immigration, Islam, and animal slaughter, resulting in fines totaling between €50,000 and €55,000 ($59,000 to $65,000). Despite the controversy, Bardot's legacy as a pioneering animal rights activist and a beloved French cinema icon will be remembered for years to come.
