Brigitte Bardot Dispels Death Rumors, Insists She Has “No intention of Taking My Leave”
Iconic French actress and model Brigitte Bardot has publicly refuted recent online rumors claiming she had died. The 89-year-old posted a statement confirming she is alive and well, adding she has “no intention of taking my leave.” The clarification came after a wave of false reports spread online, prompting concern from fans and media outlets.
Bardot, who retired from acting in 1973 to dedicate herself to animal rights activism, has largely remained out of the public eye in recent years. The recent surge in attention was initially sparked by reports of a health scare following a recent hospitalization.Last week, Bardot returned to her home in Saint-Tropez, France, after spending three weeks in the hospital for minor surgery and a “serious illness,” according to her press office. Prior to the false death reports, she shared a handwritten note celebrating her birthday.
This isn’t the first time Bardot’s health has been the subject of public discussion. In 2023, emergency services were called to her home after she experienced breathing problems. Updates regarding her well-being have been infrequent,contributing to the rapid spread of misinformation.
Throughout her post-acting life, Bardot has occasionally made headlines for controversial public statements regarding immigration, Muslims, and the #MeToo movement, and has faced legal repercussions - including six fines from French courts for “inciting racial hatred” – for her writings.
A documentary about Bardot, Bardot, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year. director Alain Berliner told Variety that Bardot “insists very much that she likes men, and she’s not against them,” and “does not want to be considered a feminist, even though she has lived like one,” characterizing her as a “free-thinker.”
