French political leaders on Monday expressed sharply differing views on how to honour film icon Brigitte Bardot, whose later-life far-right positions sparked controversy alongside her celebrated cinema career. Bardot died on Sunday at the age of 91 at her home in southern France.
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Tributes poured in from around the world, with media revisiting her iconic roles that made her an international symbol of French cinema. Bardot rose to fame with the 1956 film And God Created Woman and appeared in around 50 films before retiring from acting in 1973.
After leaving cinema, Bardot devoted herself to animal rights activism, founding a well-known animal protection organisation. Her advocacy earned admiration from supporters but did not overshadow the controversy surrounding her political views.
On dit que Dieu créa la femme.
Certains le croient d’autres non.Nous sommes tous d’accord pour affirmer que le cinéma français créa BB et elle le fit rayonner à travers le monde… cela pour notre plus grand bonheur. https://t.co/KyJIgycgGH
— Fabien Roussel (@Fabien_Roussel) December 28, 2025
Bardot was convicted five times for hate speech, largely over remarks targeting Muslims and residents of France’s overseas territory of Réunion. Her association with far-right figures, including her fourth husband Bernard d’Ormale, remained a defining aspect of her later public life.
President Emmanuel Macron described Bardot as a “legend” of 20th-century cinema who embodied freedom and independence. Far-right leaders were among the first to mourn her, with Marine Le Pen praising Bardot as a symbol of a proud and untameable France.
Bardot publicly supported Le Pen in past presidential elections, calling her a modern “Joan of Arc”. Conservative lawmaker Eric Ciotti proposed a national tribute similar to that held for singer Johnny Hallyday and launched an online petition in support.
Left-wing politicians reacted more cautiously. Socialist deputy Philippe Brun acknowledged Bardot’s cultural impact but noted that her political positions would need to be addressed separately. Communist Party leader Fabien Roussel called her a divisive figure while recognising her contribution to French cinema.
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Green lawmaker Sandrine Rousseau was openly critical, questioning what she described as contradictions between Bardot’s animal rights activism and her views on migration. The debate reflects a broader national divide over how to remember a complex and controversial legacy.