Brigitte Bardot, a French icon who was also well-known for her animal rights activism, passed away at the age of 91 on Sunday, December 28.
Following the sad news of her death, PETA founder Ingrid Newkirk released a statement, paying tribute to Bardot and expressing appreciation for all her hard work as an animal rights activist.
“From her rescued pigeons in Saint-Tropez to her beloved dogs, PETA will miss Brigitte, an angel for animals who went to bat and to court to protect them all,â Newkirk said in a statement following Bardotâs death (per BBC). âShe once said that only through protecting animals did she truly bloomâand we call on the public to honor her memory by doing something kind for animals today, so that the seeds she planted continue to flourish.â
Brigitte Bardot’s Animal Rights Foundation Announced The News of her Passing
“The Brigitte Bardot Foundation announces with immense sadness the death of its founder and president, Madame Brigitte Bardot, a world-renowned actress and singer, who chose to abandon her prestigious career to dedicate her life and energy to animal welfare and her foundation,” the foundation wrote in a statement (per BBC).
French President Emmanuel Macron Pays Tribute To Brigette Bardot
“Her films, her voice, her dazzling glory, her initials, her sorrows, her generous passion for animals, her face that became Marianne, Brigitte Bardot embodied a life of freedom,” Macron wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “French existence, universal brilliance. She touched us. We mourn a legend of the century.”
French politician Marine Le Pen also penned a tribute.
“France loses an exceptional woman, through her talent, her courage, her frankness, her beauty,” she wrote (per BBC). “A woman who chose to break with an incredible career to devote herself to the animals she defended until her last breath with inexhaustible energy and love. She was incredibly French: free, untamable, whole. She will be greatly missed by us.”
As did British conservationist Anneka Svenska.
“RIP Brigitte Bardot (1934â2025). She left fame to fight for animals. Founded the Brigitte Bardot Foundation. Rescued tens of thousands. Fought fur, puppy farms & cruelty. Helped change animal-welfare laws in France. Animals were safer because she existed. #BrigitteBardot #AnimalRights #RIP,” Svenska posted on X.
And Société Protectrice des Animaux, which is the oldest animal protection association in France.
“âSince the 1970s, and then through her foundation created in the 1980s, she has devoted her life to defending those who have no voice. Her unwavering commitment has helped raise awareness and achieve major advances for animal protection,” they wrote.
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