Brigitte Bardot, an icon of cinema and a tireless activist, celebrates her 90th birthday with as much conviction as ever.
Just days before her 90th birthday, Brigitte Bardot, a legend of French cinema and a fervent animal rights advocate, opens up about her life, her commitments, and her advanced age. “I would prefer to be 20 again,” she jokes during a phone interview with AFP from her residence in Saint-Tropez. Having left the film sets more than fifty years ago, the former star now dedicates her days to her foundation for animal protection, a cause that excites her as much as her early days on the big screen.
Photo Credit: Eric Feferberg / AFP
Although the world celebrates this milestone, Brigitte Bardot admits she is tired of the attention her birthday attracts. “I’ve had enough, it’s harassment,” she reveals, while acknowledging that these expressions of affection nostalgically remind her of her younger years. However, even at 90, she is “very happy to have reached this venerable age,” although she does not pay much attention to the passing of time. “For me, every day is the same, I take them with the same ease as before.”
Brigitte Bardot has never hesitated to make an impression with her strong opinions, particularly her commitment to animal rights, a fight she has championed for decades. What keeps her going, she says, is her love for nature and her decision to distance herself from humanity. “What makes me feel good is my silent solitude; it suits me very well,” she explains. Nevertheless, she does not hide her disappointment with the political world, especially regarding the lack of progress in banning horse meat, one of her longest battles. “After 50 years of pleading, I have achieved nothing. I would still like to see some results before I leave you all,” she adds bitterly.
Photo Credit: B. STABILE / AFP
For Brigitte Bardot, her activism is a natural extension of the fame she gained during her career. Famous for her defining roles in the 1960s, she embodied beauty, sensuality, and daring, becoming a true international icon.
Films like And God Created Woman not only made her a star but also a symbol of moral liberation and women’s emancipation. Her ability to captivate audiences and break conventions distinguished her both as an artist and as a woman.
Brigitte Bardot has no regrets about leaving cinema, having long since moved on from that era. “I am very proud of the first part of my life. It gave me worldwide fame, which helps me greatly in animal protection,” she says proudly. Today, her fans support her in this new chapter of her life, and their affection provides great comfort. “They write me letters that do me a world of good. I thank them immensely,” she states with gratitude.
However, Brigitte Bardot’s passion for animal defense is not without challenges. She laments the fate of Paul Watson, an environmental activist detained in Greenland, and denounces the injustice against him. “It’s a blatant injustice,” she exclaims, emphasizing that the real culprits, in her view, are countries like Norway, Iceland, and Japan, which continue to flout international agreements on whale hunting.
At 90, Brigitte Bardot remains a fascinating figure, both for her cinematic legacy and her unwavering devotion to the animal cause. “As long as I am here, I continue,” she asserts, determined to carry on her fight, no matter how much time she has left.
With AFP
