Yesterday (8.3.2024), on International Woman's Day, I found myself thinking about Brigitte Bardot (B.B.) - former french movie actress, dancer, singer , model. In my much younger days she was a 'hot' name, considered one of the most beautiful and sexy women in the world. Her exciting appearances in movies, her marriages ( to Roger Vadim, Jaques Charrier ..), and romantic relationship with other french actors - dominated the headlines and the imagination.
After she left the entertainment world in 1974, she became an activist for the rights of animals (she created a foundation for their welfare and protection), and later on, a fervent anti-immigration speaker. The last activity brought her a lot of trouble; she even got fined several times for using racial terms, and accused of inciting to hatred.
Now and then, I 've seen photos of her in which she looks old, fat, and wrinkled , but alive and kicking. The vestiges of beauty - gone, but replaced with activism of some sort , activism she has claimed to be for the public benefit.
( In a world of political correctness and high hypocrisy, she's seen in certain french circles as a courageous, outspoken person who doesn't hesitate to speak up her mind, for better or for worse).
Anyway, I personally prefer to remember her as the beautiful movie star, the sex symbol of the period starting with the famous movie "And God created woman". Thousands of women in the world have admired her hair, figure and face, and tried to resemble her not only physically, but also in talent and personality.
Still beautiful, but in the last photo she has angry eyes. Maybe being annoyed by photographers.
ReplyDeleteI'm not following her life, but she intrigues me. Now and then I see photos and read about her. Yes, I'm sure she gets annoyed by the photographers, even in her old age.
DeleteI remember her. The news of the time was all about her, I believe.
ReplyDeleteShe sure caught attention and publicity. She was kind of a rebel , considering her strict upringing at home.
DeleteI now remember that a friend of my father went to the Lisbon airport on purpose to see her. : ) And he lived, at the time, about 1h drive from Lisbon.
DeleteI'm not surprised. Both men and women were greatly attracted to her.
DeleteWe all age fortunately or unfortunately.
ReplyDeleteRight. We have to accept it and embrace it;
Deleteit's part of life's process.
She was a beautiful women, wasn't she? I remember her too. We all get old though, don't we?
ReplyDeleteIt is part of the journey.
In my eyes, she looked perfect! She started as a dancer and model, and evolved into an actress and singer.
DeleteShe was a gorgeous woman, indeed, Duta. But age comes to all of us if we live long enough. I enjoyed knowing that she refused to be politically correct.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Who would have thought that this 'sex kitten' (as she was nicknamed) will speak against immigration and islam without any fear, and get punished for public insults
DeleteI like this post, it’s very interesting. I like getting your POV on things like this. Thank you for sharing it. Wishing you a great Weekend, my friend!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words.
DeleteWishing you a great weekend, too!
Attacking refugees and migrants for trying to feed and house their families in a place safer than their homeland was cruel. She deserved all the criticism at the time.
ReplyDeleteI'm not familiar with details of her anti-speeches. I only know she has paid several fines for the things said.
DeleteNot nice for someone who was awarded the Legion of Honor (in 1985)!
What does she think when she looks at the photos of her youth now? I wonder if she has any regrets? It would be interesting to know the answers…
ReplyDeleteI suppose she is pragmatic about her lost youth and beauty. That's life.
DeleteShe was beautiful! And we do all age, and I have to respect someone who was so famous for her looks, allowing herself to age naturally. That has to be hard when photographers are always trying to take pictures and print them.
ReplyDeleteShe was, indeed. Along the years she has proved that she has a tough personality too: married 4 times, outspoken, engaged in all kinds of activism.
DeleteLove that she allows her to age naturally without so much plastic surgeries...and she still looks beautiful!
ReplyDeleteYes, she's a natural, and it does her and us that look at her, good.
DeleteShe certainly had the sex appeal when young, I remember her well. Recall reading about her activism several times in the newspapers and was rather surprised by what she said, disappointed to say the least.
ReplyDeleteI must admit I'm interested in her, mainly as a beautiful woman and former movie star. Not much interested in her activism. However, her activism is an integral, important part of her personality.
DeleteI admire her beauty from within too. I know there are several sex goddesses out there that are mothers, movers and shaking the political world by storm. Of course, with that young beauty comes the turmoil of what they have been up against that we might never know. With age and our journey is not always pretty, either. Thanks so much for the post. She is truly iconic.
ReplyDeleteRight. Our aging and our life journey are not always pretty. She's a survivor, no doubt about that.
Deleteshe was a stunning woman full of energy
ReplyDelete'Stunning' is a highly proper descriptive word for her.
DeleteShe sure used her fame. She royally screwed the Canada seal industry, and people still remember what she did and said. Our First Nations have been very much hurt by the misinformation. It saddens me.
ReplyDeleteWell, I suppose seal hunting is opposed to her activism for animal protection. It's sad that her activity hurt the First Nations of Canada.
DeleteI do remember her but not a s an activist. Janice
ReplyDeleteThe activism came later in life, and was overshadowed by her former career as a movie star.
DeleteShe looked so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteYes, she did. To this day, I personally think she was the most beautiful woman and actress.
DeleteThat's a name I haven't heard in years! She definitely was a beautiful person in her younger days.
ReplyDeleteShe's almost 90, methinks. Her beauty in her younger days is still remembered by generations.
DeleteI've seen that picture of her, but didn't know her stance on immigration; so that makes me not think so well of her. But you're right, back in the day she was considered quite the thing.
ReplyDeleteRegarding the immigration issue, she has probably been under the influence of her fourth husband, a right-wing guy.
DeleteI like the expression of 'quite the thing'. Yes, she was indeed considered quite the thing.
We all get older and our appearance changes over time and there's nothing wrong with that.
ReplyDeleteCorrect. Getting older is a natural process that starts in late adulthood. We can only hope to "age gracefully", that is, looking old but accepting it, even embracing it.
ReplyDeleteI always thought she was beautiful but now I see her as beautiful in a much different way.
ReplyDeleteIn addition to her physical beauty, there's beauty in her love for animals , and of course, in her love for men (4 husbands, several lovers).
DeleteI have always admired BB, from the beginning until now. She must be so fed up with men, she was really like a wild dear She was like a wild animal being pursued by a pack of hunters. I read her biography and thought, this poor woman, what an awful life. She didn't want children I could understand that in her situation, and she was forced (again by men) until she found the right one in 1992 with whom she is still married the 3 other marriages lasted 3 to 5 years, and it was not really love. With her husband she shares the love for animals and has a lot of associations in her name.
ReplyDeleteShe gas a son, Nicolas (from her marriage to Jaques Charrier), but , she's not on good terms with him. Motherhood was not for her. Nicolas has family , kids and grandkids.
DeleteYes that's what I mean she was forced to get her son but she was not at all made to be a mother.
DeletePity! Mother and Son - have a special bond. She's the light of his life. Later on, she becomes the model for his girlfriend and wife.
DeleteI have personal memories of Brigitte Bardot as a beautiful woman who fired up my hormones in my younger days, but mostly I remember her for her courageous stand in support of the movement to prevent the annual seal hunt in Eastern Canada. In that respect, her legacy lingers on.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you on her dedication to animals' rights. Her foundation for the protection of animals was declared "Public Utility" in France.
DeleteYo también prefiero recordarla como lo que fue: mi amor platónico de juventud.
ReplyDeleteUn fuerte abrazo, amiga Duta.
I can surely understand that.
DeleteWishing you a wonderful week, Manuel!
Yes, as we get older our appearance changes.
ReplyDeleteIt is good that she has aged naturally, so many in the film industry don't!
All the best Jan
Not only has she aged naturally, but she has also reached a respectable age.
DeleteWow. Looked so statuteque. :)
ReplyDeleteYes, she looked like a statue - tall and dignified!
DeleteInteresting post, interesting lady. Aging is hard for those in the spotlight - if beautiful we want them to stay that way.
ReplyDeleteAs to her life, I too did not follow its journey.
Thanks for sharing a little insight into BB, now and then.
Thank you for your lovely comment.
DeleteI agree with every word in it.
Aside from knowing who she is that is the extent of my knowledge about Ms. Bardot, then and now. I never viewed any of her films and know nothing of her activities after that career ended. In general, I seem to have minimal curiosity about the lives of th rich and famous.
ReplyDeleteThat's OK. You are free to choose who does interest you, and who not.
Delete