The funeral of French actress and singer Brigitte Bardot, who passed away on December 28, 2025, at the age of 91, will be held in Saint-Tropez, the French Riviera resort town she helped make famous. The ceremony is scheduled for January 7 at the Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption Catholic Church. According to the Saint-Tropez town hall, the ceremony will be broadcast on large screens at the port and Place des Lices central square. Following the ceremony, the burial will be private at a cemetery overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. A public homage for fans will follow the burial.
Bardot's death followed a period of declining health. In October 2025, she underwent surgery for a serious illness and was hospitalized again in November for an undisclosed condition. Weeks before her death, Bardot refuted false reports of her passing on social media. She had also battled breast cancer and experienced respiratory issues in recent years.
Brigitte Bardot was born in Paris on September 28, 1934. She began her career as a model and actress, achieving international fame with the 1956 film "And God Created Woman". Bardot appeared in nearly 50 films and recorded over 60 songs, becoming a symbol of the sexual revolution and French culture. Some of her notable films include "Contempt" and "Viva Maria!". She retired from acting in 1973 at the age of 39.
After retiring from the film industry, Bardot dedicated her life to animal rights activism. In 1986, she established the Brigitte Bardot Foundation for the Welfare and Protection of Animals. The foundation has campaigned against animal cruelty, supported animal shelters, and advocated for animal welfare in France and internationally. Bardot's activism included protesting seal hunts, opposing bullfighting and fur farming, and advocating for vegetarianism.
Throughout her life, Bardot sparked both acclaim and controversy. She was married four times and had one son, Nicolas-Jacques Charrier. In later years, she garnered attention for her support of far-right views and was convicted multiple times for inciting racial hatred. Despite the controversies, Brigitte Bardot remains an icon of French cinema and a significant figure in the animal rights movement. The town of Saint-Tropez recognized her as its "most dazzling ambassador," acknowledging her impact on the town's history and identity.
