15 Interesting Facts About Brigitte Bardot

If you want to know some really interesting facts about Brigitte Bardot, you are in the right place.

Brigitte Bardot is one of the most iconic and influential actresses of the 20th century. She rose to fame in the 1950s and 1960s as a sex symbol and a star of French cinema, and later became a devoted animal rights activist. She is also known for her controversial political views and outspokenness on various issues.

Bardot was undeniably stunning, exuding elegance and grace in every way. She personified femininity, and her innate sensuality captured the hearts of people worldwide, propelling her to become a renowned global icon.

Bardot was born on September 28, 1934 in Paris, France, to a wealthy and conservative Catholic family. Her father was an engineer and the owner of several industrial factories, and her mother was the daughter of an insurance company director.

Keep reading to learn more interesting facts about Brigitte Bardot.

15 Interesting Facts About Brigitte Bardot

1. She suffered amblyopia as a child

During her childhood, Brigitte Bardot faced a condition known as amblyopia, which is often referred to as “lazy eye.” This condition led to a reduced vision in her left eye.

Amblyopia occurs when the brain and eye do not work together effectively, causing one eye to become weaker. In Bardot’s case, her left eye was affected, impacting her depth perception and overall visual acuity in that eye.

Growing up with this condition, Bardot faced unique challenges. It may have influenced her perspective on the world, as well as her personal experiences and interactions.

2. As a child, she dreamed of becoming a ballerina

Brigitte Bardot originally wanted to be a ballerina, starting her ballet dance lessons at a private school called Cours Hattemer in Paris when she was seven years old. This was during World War II.

Bardot’s path led her to the Conservatoire de Paris, where she had the incredible opportunity to study classical ballet under the guidance of the renowned Russian choreographer, Boris Knyazev.

3. She began her modeling career at the age of 15

Brigitte Bardot started modeling at just 15, gracing the cover of Elle magazine in May 1950. It all began when the talented film director Roger Vadim spotted her, eventually becoming not only her first husband but also her guiding mentor along the way.

4. Brigitte Bardot made her film debut in 1952

Bardot started her film career in 1952, when she became a part of a romantic comedy called Crazy for Love (or Le Trou Normand in French).

However, it was in 1956 that she truly became a global sensation with her role in Et Dieu… Créa la Femme (English: And God Created Woman), directed by Roger Vadim. This film caused quite a stir, making Bardot not only a sex symbol but also a symbol of the sexual revolution.

5. Bardot starred in over 40 films

Brigitte Bardot graced over 40 films with her acting, captivating audiences not just in France but also in Hollywood and around the world.

Some of her most unforgettable movies include the 1960 drama La Vérité (The Truth) by Henri-Georges Clouzot, the 1962 drama romance Vie Privée (The Private Life),  the 1963 drama romance Le Mépris (Contempt) by Jean-Luc Godard, the 1965 comedy adventure Viva Maria! by Louis Malle, and the 1968 Western Shalako, where Bardot shared the screen with the legendary Sean Connery.

6. She also had a successful singing career

Did you know that Brigitte Bardot also had an amazing singing career? She recorded over 60 songs in French, English, Italian, Spanish, and German. Plus, she teamed up with some big-name musicians like Serge Gainsbourg, Bob Zagury, Sacha Distel, and Charles Aznavour.

7. The press nicknamed her “BB”

The media affectionately dubbed her “BB,” short for “Bardot Baby” or “Bardot Beauty.” Some critics also referred to her as “the sex kitten,” admiring her sensual and liberated on-screen presence.

8. Brigitte Bardot was the subject of the famous essay titled “The Lolita Syndrome”

Simone de Beauvoir, the French feminist philosopher, wrote a famous essay in 1959 called “The Lolita Syndrome” about Brigitte Bardot.

In her essay, de Beauvoir took a deep dive into Bardot’s image and her impact, affectionately referring to her as “a driving force in women’s history” and “the trailblazing liberated woman of post-war France.”

9. Brigitte Bardot retired from the entertainment industry at the age of 39

In 1973, at just 39 years old, she decided to call it a day in the entertainment world after wrapping up her final film, L’Histoire Très Bonne et Très Joyeuse de Colinot Trousse-Chemise (English: The Edifying and Joyous Story of Colinot).

 Bardot expressed her desire to bow out while still at the peak of her career, citing exhaustion from media exploitation and harassment as key reasons.

10. She became a passionate animal rights activist

Brigitte Bradot’s fascination with animals began in 1962, when she was 28 years old.

According to her first husband, French director Roger Vadim, Bardot didn’t receive much affection from her parents. When they started dating, she didn’t desire jewelry; instead, she longed for a dog.

Bardot became a devoted champion for animals after her retirement from the entertainment industry. In 1986, she took a big step and started the Brigitte Bardot Foundation for the Welfare and Protection of Animals. Since then, she’s been on a mission, fighting for important causes like putting an end to fur farming, seal hunting, bullfighting, horse slaughter, and animal testing.

11. Brigitte Bardot has been married four times

Brigitte Bardot had quite a journey in love as she has tied the knot four times: first with Roger Vadim from 1952 to 1957, then with Jacques Charrier from 1959 to 1962, followed by Gunter Sachs from 1966 to 1969, and currently, she’s happily married to Bernard d’Ormale since 1992.

12. She was estranged from her only son

In 1963, when Bardot and Jacques Charrier divorced, she decided to let him have full custody of their son, Nicolas, who was born in 1960. It wasn’t until 1996, when a court case brought them back together, that Nicolas reconnected with his mother after all those years apart.

13. Her son and ex-husband took her to court

In 1996, Nicolas Charrier was deeply disturbed and caught off guard by the content of his mother, Brigitte Bardot’s, book titled Initialled B.B.

He, along with his father, Jacques Charrier, decided to take legal action against Bardot, accusing her of breaching their privacy and violating the sanctity of their family bond.

As a result, Bardot was ordered to pay 150,000 francs to her former husband and 100,000 francs to their son.

14. Bardot has been involved in several other legal battles and controversies

Brigitte Bardot has found herself in a few controversies and legal disputes due to her political views and statements. She’s been fined six times for comments that were seen as promoting racial hatred or insulting religious groups, particularly Muslims.

Additionally, she’s shown support for some far-right parties and leaders in France, like Jean-Marie Le Pen and Marine Le Pen.

15. Brigitte Bardot is a great-grandmother

Brigitte Bardot has two granddaughters, Anna and Thea Charrier, and one great-granddaughter. Nicolas-Jacques Charrier, Bardot’s son she shares with her second husband Jacques Charrier, became a grandfather in 2014, when his daughter Anna gave birth to a baby girl.