Brigitte Bardot Biography, Life, Interesting Facts

Brigitte Bardot is famous for her acting and modeling career.  However, it is her animal activism later in her life that has become her passion.

Childhood And Early Life

Brigitte Bardot was born on September 28, 1934, in Paris, France.  

Education

Brigitte Bardot attended the private school, Cours Hattemer.  Brigitte Bardot was also homeschooled for a while. Her first professional aspiration was ballet.  In 1947 Brigitte Bardot studied at the Conservatoire de Paris for three years.   

Rise To Stardom

Her teen years were the start of her modeling career.  In 1950, Brigitte Bardot was the cover model for Elle magazine.  Her first movie was the 1952 comedy, Le Trou Normand.

From 1952-1956, Brigitte Bardot was cast in seventeen films including some English language movies.  However, it was 1956 when career gained worldwide recognition for her role in the movie ...And God Created Woman.

Career

Brigitte Bardot was in demand for her beauty.  Brigitte Bardot was considered a sex symbol.  Her roles were transitioning from light comedy to more dramatic, serious roles.  Her 1962 film A Very Private Affair was a role in which Brigitte Bardot played a young woman who falls in love with her friend's husband. 

Other films from the 1960s include Masculin, feminine', Histories extraordinaire, and Les Femmes.  Brigitte Bardot continued acting into the 1970s only to retire after her film L'histoire tres bonne et tres joyeuse de Colinot Trousse-Chemise in 1973.

Brigitte Bardot also had a musical career in the 1960s and 1970s.  Brigitte Bardot recorded over 60 songs including a French cover of Stevie Wonder's “You are the Sunshine of my Life.”  Many of her songs were collaborations with artists such as Serge Gainsbourg, Bog Zagury, and Sacha Distel.  

Later Life

After Brigitte Bardot retired from film and music, Bardot pursued animal activism in her later life.  

Personal Life And Legacy

Brigitte Bardot married her first husband, director Roger Vadim in 1952 when Brigitte Bardot was 18 years old. They divorced in 1957.  In 1959 Brigitte Bardot married fellow actor Jacques Charrier.  They had a son, Nicolas-Jacques, but divorced in 1962. 

Brigitte Bardot later married Gunter Sachs in 1966.  Their marriage ended in 1969.  Brigitte Bardot was connected with other men including her leading actor Jean-Louis Trintignant from ...And God Created Woman who was married at the time of their affair. 

Brigitte Bardot also had an affair with musician Gilbert Becaud.  Brigitte Bardot dated many men in her life.  Her fourth husband with whom Brigitte Bardot is still married is Bernard d'Ormale since 1992.

Philanthropic Work / Humanitarian Work

Brigitte Bardot established the Brigitte Bardot Foundation for the Welfare and Protection of Animals. It is the leading animal protection nongovernmental organization in France. The resources and expertise of those who work for the organization are used in France as well as around the world.  Brigitte Bardot donates her time and money to causes that prevent animal cruelty. 

Brigitte Bardot writes letters to leaders, donates for adoptions and sterilization of pets, and will protest.  Brigitte Bardot has been connected to other animal activism organizations such as Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.

Awards And Achievements

•   David di Donatello Award, Best Foreign Actress, A Very Private Affair, 1962
•  BAFTA Award nominee for Best Foreign Actress, Viva Maria!, 1965
•  Declined Legion of Honor award, 1985

Diseases/Disabilities

During the peak of her career, Brigitte Bardot fell into depression.  Brigitte Bardot was not able to deal with the demands and pressures that came with her celebrity status.  There were times that she was even suicidal. 

However, Brigitte Bardot pushed onward and continued filming until her retirement in the 1970s when she was in her 30s. Bardot has also survived breast cancer.

Summary Of Major Works

Film:

• And God Created Woman (1956)
• The Truth (1960)
•  Contempt (1963)
•  Viva Maria! (1965)
• Spirits of the Dead (1968)