Brigitte Bardot, the legendary French actress, singer, model, and animal rights activist often known simply as “BB,” passed away on December 28, 2025, at the age of 91. Her death was announced by the Brigitte Bardot Foundation, which stated that the iconic star died following an illness and surgery two months earlier. No specific cause of death was provided, and details about the exact time or location were not disclosed. Bardot, who retired from acting in 1973 to focus on animal welfare, leaves behind a complex legacy as a symbol of sexual liberation, cinematic brilliance, and passionate activism.
Throughout her life, Bardot was married four times, with relationships that often made headlines amid her rising fame. At the time of her death, she was married to her fourth husband, Bernard d’Ormale, whom she wed in 1992.
Brigitte Bardot’s Four Marriages
- Roger Vadim (1952–1957) Bardot’s first husband was the French film director Roger Vadim, whom she met when she was just 15 and he was 22. They married on December 20, 1952, when Bardot turned 18. Vadim directed her breakout film, And God Created Woman (1956), which catapulted her to international stardom and established her as a sex symbol. The marriage ended in divorce in 1957, but the two remained on amicable terms, with Vadim later collaborating with her again.
- Jacques Charrier (1959–1962) Bardot married actor Jacques Charrier in 1959 after meeting on the set of Babette Goes to War. Their son, Nicolas-Jacques Charrier (born January 11, 1960), is Bardot’s only child. The pregnancy and motherhood were difficult for Bardot, who has openly discussed her struggles in memoirs. The couple divorced in 1962 amid publicized turmoil. Charrier passed away in September 2025 at age 88.
- Gunter Sachs (1966–1969) In 1966, Bardot married German millionaire and playboy Gunter Sachs in a whirlwind Las Vegas ceremony. Their glamorous, jet-set lifestyle captured tabloid attention, but the marriage lasted only three years, ending in divorce in 1969.
- Bernard d’Ormale (1992–2025) Bardot’s longest and final marriage was to Bernard d’Ormale, a French businessman and former adviser to far-right politician Jean-Marie Le Pen. They met in 1992 and married later that year in Norway. The couple lived a quieter life at Bardot’s home, La Madrague, in Saint-Tropez, where she focused on her animal rights work. D’Ormale supported her activism, and they remained together until her death.
Bardot’s Death and Legacy
On December 28, 2025—the same date as her passing—tributes poured in from around the world. French President Emmanuel Macron described her as “a legend of the century” who “embodied a life of freedom.” Her foundation highlighted her decision to abandon fame for animal welfare, founding the Brigitte Bardot Foundation in 1986 to protect animals globally.
Bardot starred in over 50 films, revolutionized fashion and beauty standards with her tousled hair and bold sensuality, and later became a controversial figure due to her political views and outspoken comments. Despite the controversies, her impact on cinema, culture, and animal rights endures.
