Piers Morgan mourns the death of Brigitte Bardot, calls her the "greatest movie sex symbol"

Piers Morgan has reacted to the death of iconic French film star Brigitte Bardot, who died at age 91. Bardot’s death was confirmed on December 28, 2025, through a statement from the Brigitte Bardot Foundation, with CNN reporting the news the same day.

Bardor was among the most well-known characters in 20th-century film. Before retiring from acting in 1973, she starred in over 40 films. She later rose to prominence as an animal rights activist and founded an organisation focused on animal welfare.

In a post published on December 28, 2025, Piers Morgan paid tribute to Bardot as "the greatest movie sex symbol of them all" and acknowledged her role in making Saint-Tropez "the coolest place in the world." His comments coincided with tributes from public figures, cultural institutions, and political leaders both domestically and internationally.

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More about Brigitte Bardot’s early life and rise to international fame

Brigitte Bardot was born on September 28, 1934, in Paris, to an upper middle-class family, according to CNN’s obituary published on December 28, 2025. She initially trained as a ballerina and studied classical dance before she entered the film industry.

Her journey into acting started when she appeared on the cover of Elle magazine at the age of 15. That cover caught the eye of director Marc Allégret and his assistant, Roger Vadim. Vadim later became Bardot’s husband and played a key role in starting her career on screen.

Bardot married Vadim in 1952, when she was 18, following initial opposition from her family. She went on to appear in a series of French films throughout the early 1950s, gradually building recognition. Her breakthrough arrived in 1956 with …And God Created Woman, directed by Vadim. The film’s portrayal of female sexuality was considered unprecedented at the time and reportedly drew both acclaim and controversy.

The success of …And God Created Woman established Bardot as an international star. By 1958, she had become a major box-office draw in the United States, despite choosing not to relocate to Hollywood.

By the late 1950s and early 1960s, Bardot had become one of the most photographed women in the world. Life magazine wrote in 1961 that women across different countries were copying her hair, clothing, and overall style.

Although a very popular actress, Bardot often underrated her own talent and failed to see any challenge in filmmaking. According to CNN quotes, she referred to filmmaking as uninteresting and could not find any fascination in acting.

She formally retired from acting in 1973,at the age of 39 with her final film, Don Juan, or If Don Juan Were a Woman.

French actors Brigitte Bardot and Matthieu Carrière on the set of Don Juan ou Si Don Juan était une femme..., written and directed by Roger Vadim. (Image by Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images)

Read More:“I have no plans, ever, to retire” — Steven Spielberg says he’s not done making movies anytime soon

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Brigitte Bardot’s animal-rights activism

After leaving cinema, Bardot devoted herself to animal-rights advocacy. In 1986, she founded the Brigitte Bardot Foundation, focusing on animal welfare in France and abroad.

Brigitte Bardot makes a brief appearance at an animal rights demonstration. She runs the Brigitte Bardot Foundation for the welfare of animals. (Image by John van Hasselt/Corbis via Getty Images)

In 1987, Bardot supposedly auctioned her personal items in order to raise money for various animal rights causes, claiming,

"I've given my youth and beauty to the movies, and now I give myself to animals."

The actress remained active in advocacy into her later years, continuing to release statements and letters related to animal protection. She consistently denied political motivations, telling Vanity Fair in 2012 that her actions were “motivated by the defense of animals.” According to CNN, her advocacy also faced criticism.

Read More: “It’s changed me”: Jeff Goldblum reveals how Wicked made him stop eating meat

Edited by Devangee