Renowned French actress and animal rights advocate Brigitte Bardot was laid to rest in a private ceremony followed by a public tribute in Saint-Tropez, the iconic French Riviera town where she resided for over 50 years post her illustrious acting career. Bardot, a staunch supporter of animal welfare and conservative views, passed away at 91 in her home in southern France after battling cancer and undergoing two surgeries, as confirmed by her husband Bernard d’Ormale.
Local residents and fans paid their respects as Bardot’s casket, once a global symbol of beauty and allure in the 1960s, was carried through the streets of Saint-Tropez. The funeral service commenced with a rendition of “Ave Maria” by opera legend Maria Callas at the Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption Catholic Church, attended by Bardot’s family, close friends, and representatives from the Brigitte Bardot Foundation for animal protection.
Mourners, including hundreds of onlookers gathered in the town, watched the proceedings on large screens set up at various locations. Bardot, who sought solace in Saint-Tropez away from the limelight, was laid to rest in a secluded ceremony overlooking the Mediterranean Sea in a cemetery that also houses notable figures like her first husband, filmmaker Roger Vadim.
Having retired from acting in the early 1970s, Bardot spent her later years at her coastal residence, La Madrague, engaging in activism and occasionally embroiling herself in controversies, notably for her critiques of practices like the seal hunt in Newfoundland and opposing certain religious rituals. Despite facing legal repercussions for her outspoken views, Bardot remained steadfast in her beliefs, expressing her concerns over societal progress and cultural practices.
The funeral of Brigitte Bardot marked the end of an era for the beloved French icon, leaving behind a legacy of cinematic brilliance and unwavering advocacy for animal rights.