Brigitte Bardot, the 91-year-old French screen icon and animal rights activist, has been hospitalized in Toulon and reportedly underwent surgery for a âserious illness,â according to local media.
The legendary actress has been in the private hospital Saint-Jean for around three weeks, according to Reuters on Friday, Oct. 17. Â
Sources cited in the French outlet Var-Matin say Bardot was brought from her home in Saint-Tropez to the hospital.
Her condition has been described as âworrying,â though details about the precise nature of her illness or the surgery have not yet been confirmed.
The Independent cited the French outlet as stating, “She is expected to be released from the hospital in a few days but her condition remains worrying.â
Bardot rose to international fame in the 1950s and 1960s thanks to her roles in films such as âAnd God Created Womanâ and âContempt,â becoming an emblem of French cinema and glamour.
She left acting in the 1970s and devoted herself largely to animal welfare in later life.
Health & Legacy
Bardotâs health has occasionally drawn attention.
In July 2023, she was hospitalized over breathing difficulties during a heatwave, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Though she recovered, the incident underscored the challenges faced by aging public figures.
In recent years, Bardot lived mostly in seclusion in Saint-Tropez, known for her dedication to animal rights and her strong public voice on issues she cared deeply about.
Her withdrawal from film did not diminish her influence, which continues through her foundation and the cultural impact of her iconic performances.
Bardot & Her Foundation
In 1986, she founded the Brigitte Bardot Foundation for the Welfare and Protection of Animals, a global organization that campaigns against animal cruelty, fur farming, and the mistreatment of marine life.
The foundation operates rescue centers, funds sterilization programs, and advocates for stronger animal-rights laws worldwide.
Bardot has been outspoken and fearless in her activism, often clashing with political leaders and industries she viewed as exploitative.
Despite controversy over her blunt remarks at times, her passion for animals never wavered.
From rescuing stray dogs in Saint-Tropez to fighting for seal populations in Canada, Bardotâs commitment to animal welfare has inspired generations of advocates.
Even in her later years, she continued to personally oversee her foundationâs efforts, proving that her compassion â like her cinematic influence â remains timeless.
Bardot published an animal rights memoir in 2019, where she spoke about her foundation and how she compared herself to how animals feel when she was at the height of her fame.
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