Brigitte Bardot, the iconic French actress and animal rights activist, passed away on December 28, 2023, at the age of 91. She died at her home in Saint Tropez following a prolonged period of declining health. The Brigitte Bardot Foundation released a statement expressing profound sadness at the loss of its founder, who famously chose to leave her celebrated acting career to focus on animal welfare.
Bardot’s health had been deteriorating, and she spent time in the hospital on two occasions in recent months. Earlier in 2023, she had been hospitalized and disclosed that she relied on crutches, stating that she could “hardly walk anymore.” Following her death, reactions poured in from various public figures, including French President Emmanuel Macron and American singer Chappell Roan. Despite the accolades, her passing has reignited discussions about her controversial past, particularly her views on race, religion, and her relationship with her only son, Nicolas-Jacques Charrier.
Controversial Statements and Legal Battles
Bardot’s legacy is complicated by her outspoken opinions, which have often sparked outrage. Her history of racism, Islamophobia, and homophobia has resurfaced, prompting renewed scrutiny. Among the most shocking revelations are her comments about her son, Nicolas-Jacques. Although they reconciled in the years leading up to her death, Bardot had previously made disparaging remarks about him and was even sued by him for emotional damage.
In her 1996 autobiography, Initiales B.B, she made a startling admission about her desire to abort her son. At the age of 25, she claimed she resorted to “punching” herself in the stomach to induce a miscarriage. She also recounted attempting to obtain morphine from doctors to facilitate an abortion. Bardot expressed her deep regret over her pregnancy, stating she would have “preferred to give birth to a little dog” and likened her unborn child to a tumor, saying, “It was like a tumor that fed on me.”
The birth of Nicolas-Jacques was equally tumultuous. Bardot described giving birth on the floor of her Paris apartment, unable to leave due to the presence of photographers outside. Following the birth, she referred to him as the “object of my misfortune” and demanded that medical staff “take him away,” expressing her wish never to see him again.
In 1997, following the publication of her autobiography, Nicolas and his father, Jacques Charrier, filed a lawsuit against Bardot for invasion of privacy and emotional distress. The court ruled in their favor, ordering Bardot to pay $40,000 in damages and to include a legal warning at the beginning of the book regarding its offensive content.
A Complex Relationship and Final Years
Despite the earlier turmoil, Bardot and Nicolas-Jacques began to have limited contact in the years prior to her death. Bardot had vowed not to speak about him publicly again, reflecting the complexity of their relationship. As she spent her final days, the actress appeared to have reconciled some aspects of her past while remaining a controversial figure in the public eye.
The legacy of Brigitte Bardot is undeniably multifaceted. While she is celebrated for her contributions to cinema and animal rights, her controversial statements and troubled relationship with her son complicate her narrative. As the world reflects on her life and career, it is clear that Bardot’s impact will continue to be debated for years to come.
