Contentious Brigitte Bardot Tribute Sparks Debate in France

French officials found themselves at odds on Monday over how to honor the celebrated yet controversial Brigitte Bardot, whose legacy is marked by both cinematic fame and polarizing far-right ideologies.

Following her rise to fame with the 1956 classic 'And God Created Woman,' Bardot became an icon through nearly 50 films before renouncing her acting career in 1973 to dedicate herself to animal advocacy.

However, her alignment with the far-right cast a shadow over her later years.

Bardot faced conviction on five separate occasions for inciting racial hatred, particularly due to statements against Muslims and derogatory remarks about individuals from Réunion Island, whom she infamously labeled "savages."

She passed away in the early hours of Sunday, accompanied by her fourth husband, Bernard d'Ormale, who previously advised the far-right.

According to a spokesperson for her animal foundation, her final moments were serene, marked by a whispered farewell to d'Ormale before she passed.

Tributes from the Political Right

Prominent right-wing figures were prompt to express their mourning.

Marine Le Pen, prominent in the National Rally party, praised Bardot as a quintessentially French figure, noting her spirit as untamed and complete.

Bardot had previously endorsed Le Pen in presidential bids, likening her to a modern-day Joan of Arc, a figure she believed could salvage France.

In a suggestion to honor Bardot nationally, conservative Eric Ciotti drew parallels to the farewell given to rock legend Johnny Hallyday, launching a petition that amassed over 7,000 signatories by Monday.

Measured Responses from the Left

Conversely, the reaction from left-leaning officials has been more subdued.

Philippe Brun, a senior member of the Socialist party, described Bardot as an emblem of liberty and rebellion, expressing sadness at her passing while remaining open to the idea of honoring her publicly.

Nonetheless, he suggested that a discussion regarding her political stances could be warranted in the future.

Fabien Roussel, leader of the Communist party, acknowledged Bardot as a contentious personality but applauded her contribution to French cinema's global reputation.

Sandrine Rousseau of the Greens Party critiqued Bardot's selective empathy, questioning the introspection behind valuing animal welfare over refugee lives.

Bardot's Final Wishes Stir Controversy

In planning her end-of-life arrangements, Bardot expressed a desire for simplicity, requesting burial in her garden beneath a wooden cross akin to her beloved animals, aiming to avoid a public spectacle.

In France, such a burial could be possible conditional upon obtaining necessary permits from local authorities.

Born into an affluent Catholic setting in Paris on September 28, 1934, Bardot was married four times and had one son, Nicolas-Jacques Charrier, from her second marriage to actor Jacques Charrier.

After stepping away from the silver screen, Bardot secluded herself in Saint-Tropez, passionately advocating for animal rights, tracing her activism's roots to an encounter with a goat on a film set.

Reflecting on her life in a 2024 interview ahead of her 90th birthday, Bardot expressed pride in her initial fame, which she believed empowered her to champion animal causes, her singular passion.