‘wildly free and so French after all, PETA, Politicians Mourn Brigitte Bardot

European leaders, fellow artists, and animal welfare organizations joined politicians across the spectrum in mourning French film icon Brigitte Bardot, who died Sunday at the age of 91.

“Brigitte Bardot embodied a life of freedom,” French President Emmanuel Macron wrote on X. His tribute did not reference the far-right positions Bardot adopted after retiring from acting. In later life, she was convicted five times on hate-speech charges, largely related to remarks about Muslims, according to Le Monde.

After leaving the screen, Bardot devoted herself almost entirely to animal rights, founding the Brigitte Bardot Foundation and becoming one of the world’s most recognizable advocates for animal welfare. Reflecting on that transition, she once said, as quoted by The New York Times, “I gave my beauty and my youth to men, and now I am giving my wisdom and experience, the best of me, to animals.”

French actor Pierre Arditi praised her fearlessness, saying Bardot possessed “a courage that men still don’t reference,” suggesting her devotion to animals may have stemmed from disappointment with humanity. “We are relatively disappointing,” he added.

Mourners Honor Bardot's Independence — Posters showing Brigitte Bardot hang Sunday at a security barrier near her home in Saint-Tropez, southern France. (AP Photo/Philippe Magoni)

Culture Minister Rachida Dati called Bardot “a tireless defender of animal rights” and “a legend who helped shape our imaginations,” describing her as “wildly free and so French.”

Animal rights group PETA also paid tribute. Cofounder Ingrid Newkirk recalled Bardot’s lifelong compassion, from rescuing pigeons in Saint-Tropez to caring for her dogs, calling her “an angel for animals who went to bat and to court to protect them all.”

Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli said Bardot’s unwavering defense of her cultural and civic values “deserves attention and great respect,” urging that she be remembered “in her true beauty.”

French far-right politician Jordan Bardella described her as “a passionate patriot and a lover of animals,” saying she embodied “a certain idea of courage and freedom” and an entire era of French history.

The city of Saint-Tropez, where Bardot lived for decades, said she left an indelible mark on the town and helped make it known worldwide, adding that she now belongs to its collective memory.

Musician Chico Bouchikhi, cofounder of the Gipsy Kings, recalled youthful encounters with Bardot in Saint-Tropez, describing how she would sometimes join the band at small gatherings in disguise. “People would say, ‘Incredible, that dancer looks like Brigitte Bardot!’” he said.