Brigitte Bardot’s Controversial Legacy: Far-Right Ties and Political Divides

Brigitte Bardot, the iconic French actress turned animal rights activist, passed away at 91 on December 28, 2025, leaving behind a complex and polarizing legacy that intertwines culture, politics, and controversy.

Bardot transitioned from a celebrated cinematic career in the 1960s to outspoken activism, founding the Brigitte Bardot Foundation in 1986 to champion animal protection. Yet her political views sparked intense debate, marked by her strong support for far-right figures like Marine Le Pen, whom she called the “Joan of Arc of the 21st century,” and her early admiration for Jean-Marie Le Pen. Bardot identified as a conservative patriot, asserting her political motivations stemmed from defending animal rights, not racism. However, her reputation was marred by multiple legal convictions for inciting racial hatred due to her harsh criticism of immigration and Islam in France, including controversial remarks about Muslims and the Réunionnais population.

Her political stances extended beyond far-right endorsement: Bardot backed diverse figures over the years, including Valéry Giscard d’Estaing in 1974, and expressed support for social movements like the Gilets Jaunes, while also distancing herself from certain right-wing politicians such as Éric Zemmour, criticizing his stance on hunting.

Upon news of her death, tributes poured in across the political spectrum. President Emmanuel Macron hailed her as a “legend of the century” embodying freedom, while Marine Le Pen praised her talent and French identity. The National Rally party commemorated her as an “ardent patriot,” and figures like Culture Minister Rachida Dati recognized Bardot as an icon who shaped cultural imagination. Conversely, left-wing responses were more reserved, with some, like Nupes deputy Aymeric Caron, acknowledging her role in animal rights advocacy yet distancing from her divisive statements.

Analysts note Bardot’s political legacy impacts how the far-right seeks cultural legitimacy, given her status as a beloved yet controversial figure who combined celebrity with political activism. Her life story reflects the tensions in French society around identity, immigration, and nationalism — a reflection especially poignant considering the sharp political divides in contemporary France where Bardot’s name remains emblematic.