Brigitte Bardot Honored in Saint-Tropez Funeral Amidst Mixed Legacy
Published 7 January 2026
Highlights
- Brigitte Bardot, a French cinema icon and animal rights activist, was laid to rest in Saint-Tropez on Wednesday.
- The funeral was attended by notable figures, including far-right politician Marine Le Pen, and broadcast across the town.
- Bardot, who died of cancer at 91, was known for revolutionizing 1950s French cinema and later for her controversial political views.
- Her son, Nicolas-Jacques Charrier, and other family members carried her coffin to a hillside cemetery overlooking the Mediterranean.
- Bardot's legacy is marked by her film career and her later life dedication to animal rights, despite her divisive political stance.
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Rewritten Article
Brigitte Bardot Honored in Saint-Tropez Funeral Amidst Mixed Legacy
The streets of Saint-Tropez were lined with mourners on Wednesday as French cinema legend Brigitte Bardot was laid to rest. The funeral, held at the Notre-Dame de l’Assomption church, was attended by family, friends, and notable figures, including far-right leader Marine Le Pen. Bardot, who passed away at her La Madrague villa on December 28 at the age of 91, succumbed to cancer after battling the disease with resilience.
A Star's Final Journey
The funeral procession, accompanied by applause from the gathered crowds, made its way through the French Riviera town, which Bardot's fame helped transform into a glamorous destination. Her coffin was carried to a hillside cemetery, where she was laid to rest alongside her parents and first husband, Roger Vadim. The ceremony was broadcast on large screens throughout Saint-Tropez, allowing fans to pay their respects to the iconic actress.
A Complex Legacy
Bardot's career in the 1950s and 60s revolutionized French cinema, with films like "And God Created Woman" cementing her status as a symbol of sexual liberation. However, her later years were marked by controversy due to her outspoken far-right political views and multiple convictions for hate speech. Despite this, her dedication to animal rights remained unwavering, with the Brigitte Bardot Foundation continuing her advocacy work.
Tributes and Reflections
French President Emmanuel Macron described Bardot as "a legend of the century," while her foundation remembered her as a "world-renowned actress." The funeral was attended by various public figures, including singers Jean-Roch and Mireille Mathieu, and animal rights activist Paul Watson. Marine Le Pen, who admired Bardot's stance on national identity, was also present, highlighting the mutual respect between the two.
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Scenario Analysis
Brigitte Bardot's passing marks the end of an era for French cinema and animal rights activism. Her complex legacy, characterized by both her cinematic achievements and controversial political views, continues to spark debate. As France approaches its 2027 presidential race, Bardot's influence on figures like Marine Le Pen may shape political discourse, particularly around national identity and immigration. Meanwhile, the Brigitte Bardot Foundation is expected to carry forward her advocacy for animal rights, ensuring that her passion for the cause endures.
The streets of Saint-Tropez were lined with mourners on Wednesday as French cinema legend Brigitte Bardot was laid to rest. The funeral, held at the Notre-Dame de l’Assomption church, was attended by family, friends, and notable figures, including far-right leader Marine Le Pen. Bardot, who passed away at her La Madrague villa on December 28 at the age of 91, succumbed to cancer after battling the disease with resilience.
A Star's Final Journey
The funeral procession, accompanied by applause from the gathered crowds, made its way through the French Riviera town, which Bardot's fame helped transform into a glamorous destination. Her coffin was carried to a hillside cemetery, where she was laid to rest alongside her parents and first husband, Roger Vadim. The ceremony was broadcast on large screens throughout Saint-Tropez, allowing fans to pay their respects to the iconic actress.
A Complex Legacy
Bardot's career in the 1950s and 60s revolutionized French cinema, with films like "And God Created Woman" cementing her status as a symbol of sexual liberation. However, her later years were marked by controversy due to her outspoken far-right political views and multiple convictions for hate speech. Despite this, her dedication to animal rights remained unwavering, with the Brigitte Bardot Foundation continuing her advocacy work.
Tributes and Reflections
French President Emmanuel Macron described Bardot as "a legend of the century," while her foundation remembered her as a "world-renowned actress." The funeral was attended by various public figures, including singers Jean-Roch and Mireille Mathieu, and animal rights activist Paul Watson. Marine Le Pen, who admired Bardot's stance on national identity, was also present, highlighting the mutual respect between the two.
What this might mean
Brigitte Bardot's passing marks the end of an era for French cinema and animal rights activism. Her complex legacy, characterized by both her cinematic achievements and controversial political views, continues to spark debate. As France approaches its 2027 presidential race, Bardot's influence on figures like Marine Le Pen may shape political discourse, particularly around national identity and immigration. Meanwhile, the Brigitte Bardot Foundation is expected to carry forward her advocacy for animal rights, ensuring that her passion for the cause endures.
