Brigitte Bardot: her life and times so far – in pictures

BB was born in Paris on 28 September 1934 and as she approaches her 80th birthday, we thought it a good time to look back at her life and work as an actor and activist

• Brigitte Bardot at 80: still outrageous, outspoken and controversial

  • After a promising early career as a ballerina and model, Bardot turned to film and made her screen debut in 1952’s Le Trou Normand (Crazy for Love) at the age of 18.
    After a promising early career as a ballerina, Bardot turned to film and made her screen debut in 1952's Le Trou Normand (Crazy for Love).

  • Film director Roger Vadim had seen a photograph of Bardot when she was very young and waited until she had just turned 18 to marry her in December 1952 at the Church of Passy, France.
    Film director Roger Vadim had seen a photograph of Bardot when she was very young and waited until she had just turned 18 to marry her in December 1952 at the Church of Passy, France.

  • In 1953 Bardot appeared alongside Kirk Douglas in Un Acte D’amour (Act of Love). Here she is on the beach with him during the 6th International Cannes film festival.
    In 1953 she appeared alongside Kirk Douglas in Un Acte D'amour (Act of Love). Here she is on the beach at with him during the 6th International Cannes film festival.

  • This 1955 shot was taken at a time when her reputation in France as an actor and beauty was burgeoning.
    This 1955 shot was taken at a time when her reputation as an actor and beauty was burgeoning.

  • In 1955, Bardot came to England to film Doctor at Sea and here is photographed in London before her fame made it impossible to wander unrecognised.
    In 1955, Bardot came to England to film Doctor at Sea and here is photographed in London.

  • Brigitte Bardot in Doctor at Sea.
    Brigitte Bardot in Doctor at Sea.

  • Bardot, pictured here on the set of La Lumière D’en Face (The Light Across the Street) in late 1955, appeared in several more rom-coms before her big breakthrough in 1956.
    Brigitte Bardot on the set of La Lumière D'en Face (The Light Across the Street) in late 1955.

  • Brigitte Bardot watching Pablo Picasso at work in his studio in Vallauris during the 1956 International Cannes film festival.
    Brigitte Bardot watching Pablo Picasso at work in his studio in Vallauris during the 1956 International Cannes film festival.

  • Her husband Roger Vadim directed her for the first time in 1956’s Et Dieu...Crea La Femme (...And God Created Woman). The film gained notoriety worldwide due to her overt sexuality and she became an international star.
    Her husband Roger Vadim directed her for the first time in 1956's Et Dieu...Crea La Femme (...And God Created Woman). It turned Bardot into an international star.

  • Bardot’s films, this is a still from 1957’s La Parisienne, continued to ooze sex appeal which led to the coining of the phrase ‘Sex Kitten’ about her the following year.
    Bardot's films, this is a still from 1957's La Parisienne, continued to ooze sex appeal which led to the coining of the phrase 'Sex Kitten' about her the following year.

  • Now reporters and paparazzi covered her every move. Here Brigitte learns how to ride a horse for the film La femme et le pantin (A Woman Like Satan) in 1958.
    Now reporters and paparazzi covered her every move. Here Brigitte learns how to ride a horse for the film La femme et le pantin (A Woman Like Satan) in 1958.

  • Later in 1958, she posed at the famous resort of Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.
    Later in 1958, she posed at the famous resort of Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.

  • Cover star Bardot on the set of the film Babette s’en va-t-en guerre (Babette Goes to War) in 1959. It was a big year for her.
    Bardot on the set of the film Babette s'en va-t-en guerre (Babette Goes to War) in 1959. It was a big year for her.

  • Photographer Sam Levin was instrumental in creating Bardot’s image and the so-called Towel Session in 1959 is one of her most famous shoots. Simone de Beauvoir wrote a famous essay that year entitled Brigitte Bardot and the Lolita Syndrome.
    Photographer Sam Levin was instrumental in creating Bardot's image and the so-called Towel Session in 1959 is one of her most famous shoots.

  • Having divorced Vadim in 1957, Bardot remarried in 1959, this time to an actor her own age, Jacques Charrier. The marriage lasted until 1962.
    Having divorced Vadim in 1957, Bardot remarried in 1959, this time to an actor her own age, Jacques Charrier. The marriage lasted until 1962.

  • On 11 January 1960 Bardot gave birth to her only child, Nicolas. Here she is cuddling him in her Paris apartment.
    On 11 January 1960 Bardot gave birth to her only child, Nicolas. Here she is cuddling him in her Paris apartment.

  • Bardot’s love of music led to her releasing several records in the 60s and 70s. Here she is playing guitar in Saint-Tropez.
    Bardot's love of music led to her releasing several records in the 60s and 70s. Here she is playing guitar in Saint-Tropez.

  • But film was still her main creative outlet. Here she is on the set of Le Repos du Guerrier, directed by Roger Vadim, in Paris in February 1962.
    On the set of the film Le Repos du Guerrier, directed by Roger Vadim in February 1962.

  • Brigitte Bardot and Michel Piccoli in Le Mepris (Contempt) directed by Jean-Luc Godard in 1963.
    Brigitte Bardot and Michel Piccoli in Le Mepris (Contempt) directed by Jean-Luc Godard in 1963.

  • The ever popular Bardot during a visit to London in October 1963.
    The ever popular Bardot during a visit to London in October 1963.

  • Bardot received a nomination for a Bafta for best foreign actress for her role in 1965’s Viva Maria! Here she is on set.
    Bardot received a nomination for a Bafta for best foreign actress for her role in 1965’s Viva Maria! Here she is on set.

  • Bardot married Gunter Sachs in 1966, a marriage that lasted three years. Here she is in Saint-Tropez in August 1967 with Johnny Hallyday.
    Bardot married Gunter Sachs in 1966, a marriage that lasted three years. Here she is in Saint-Tropez in August 1967 with Johnny Hallyday.

  • Terry O’Neill photographed the making of 1968’s Shalako on location in Spain. O’Neill considered this shot of Bardot as one of his best, as he explains here.
    Photographer Terry O'Neill photographed the making of 1968's Shalako on location in Spain. O'Neill considered this shot of Bardot as one of his best, as he explains here.

  • Another shot by O’Neill on location filming the western Shalako. Sean Connery takes a picture of Bardot. This was the first time the stars had met.
    Another shot by O'Neill on location filming the western Shalako. Sean Connery takes a picture of Bardot. This was the first time the stars had met.

  • Bardot’s interest in acting was on the wane and in 1973 her final two films were released. Here she shares a scene with Jane Birkin in Roger Vadim’s Don Juan ou Si Don Juan était une femme.
    Bardot's interest in acting was on the wane and in 1973 her final two films were released. Here she shares a scene with Jane Birkin in Roger Vadim's Don Juan ou Si Don Juan était une femme.

  • For four decades now, Bardot has devoted her energies to the campaign for animal rights. Here, in 2001, she visits the dog refuge she founded in Paris, France.
    For for decades now, Bardot has fought for animal rights. Here, in 2001, she visits the dog refuge she founded in Paris, France.

  • In 1992 Bernard d’Ormale became Bardot’s fourth and current husband. He was an adviser to Front National leader Jean-Marie Le Pen and his far right politics chimed with her own. Here they leave a Paris court in 2004 after she was sued by the anti-racist MRAP for the racist, anti-Muslim, and anti-gay comments made in her book ‘A Cry in Silence’.
    In 1992 Bernard d'Ormale became Bardot's fourth and current husband. He was a former adviser to Front National leader Jean-Marie Le Pen and his far right wing politics chimed with her own. Here they leave a Paris court in 2004 after she was sued by the anti-racist MRAP for the racist, anti-Muslim, and anti-gay comments made in her 2003 book 'A Cry in Silence'.

  • Bardot faced French judges five times between ‘97 and ‘08 for ‘incitement to racial hatred’, often as a result of her opposition to what she sees as the inherent cruelty in halal meat production. She received heavy fines. Her health stopped her from appearing in ‘08 and this 2007 photo is one of the last taken of her as she now lives as a recluse.
    Bardot faced French judges five times for 'incitement to racial hatred' between 1997 and 2008 often as aresult of her opposition to what she sees as the inherent cruelty of the halal process in killing animals. On the last occasion she received a €15,000 fine. Her health stopped her from appearing in 2008 and this photo, taken in 2007, is one of the last as she now lives as a recluse
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