The Original French It-girl Has Taken Her Final Bow

On December 28, 2025, the world lost Brigitte Bardot, the cinematic powerhouse who turned Saint-Tropez into a global playground and redefined the very concept of a "sex symbol."Passing away peacefully at her iconic home, La Madrague, at the age of 91, Bardot leaves behind a legacy that is as visually stunning as it was culturally complex. Here is how the world is paying tribute to the woman who was, quite literally, "God’s" most famous creation.

The Cinema Goddess Who Put Saint-Tropez on the Map

Long before the influencers and superyachts arrived, there was just Brigitte. With the 1956 release of And God Created Woman, Bardot didn't just become a star; she became a seismic shift in global culture. Her "provocative" charm and effortless French chic turned the sleepy fishing village of Saint-Tropez into the epicenter of cool—a vibe that brands and travelers are still chasing seven decades later. While she walked away from the silver screen in 1973 at the height of her fame, her influence never dimmed. From French President Emmanuel Macron to modern design heavyweights like Simon Porte Jacquemus, the tributes pouring in highlight a woman who was much more than a face—she was a mood, an era, and an attitude that defined the 20th century.

From Ballet Flats to a Lifetime of Activism

You can’t talk about Bardot without talking about the "Bardot look." She pioneered the messy, sun-kissed blonde mane, the signature cat-eye liner, and the striped Breton shirts that remain a staple in every "cool girl" starter pack. Perhaps her most enduring fashion contribution was the ballet flat; her collaboration with REPETTO took the shoe from the dance studio to the streets, creating a silhouette that remains a luxury essential today. But for Brigitte, the second act of her life was the one that truly mattered. Founding the Brigitte Bardot Foundation in 1986, she pivoted from the paparazzi lens to the frontlines of animal rights. While her later years were often clouded by political controversy and polarizing statements, her dedication to the welfare of "the voiceless" became her ultimate mission, proving that the woman who once had the world at her feet was most at home among her animals in the South of France.