• Brigitte Bardot, the iconic French actress, passed away at 91, her foundation announced.
• She rose to fame in the 1956 film "And God Created Woman," reshaping post-war cinema.
• Bardot later dedicated her life to animal rights activism after retiring from acting.
• Her controversial political views and statements drew significant attention throughout her career.
• Tributes from various organizations and individuals celebrated her impact on culture and animal welfare.

Brigitte Bardot, a global icon and a significant figure in French cinema, has died at the age of 91, according to her foundation. Known for her role in "And God Created Woman," Bardot became an emblem of liberated femininity and garnered international acclaim in the 1950s and 60s before retiring to focus on animal rights activism, which she pursued passionately for decades. The Brigitte Bardot Foundation expressed its sadness over her death and honored her dedication to animal welfare and activism, stating, "She chose to abandon her prestigious career to dedicate her life and energy to animal welfare" according to Reuters, South China Morning Post, and Channel News Asia.

Throughout her life, Bardot starred in approximately 50 films that made her one of the most recognizable faces in cinema. Her decision to leave the spotlight in the early 1970s was partly influenced by her experience on the set of her final film, where she famously rescued a goat from being slaughtered, which ignited her passion for animal rights, as reported by Al Jazeera and Anadolu Agency.

While Bardot's advocacy work received acclaim for highlighting animal welfare, her later years became marred by controversy due to her far-right political views and racially charged comments, which led to several convictions for inciting racial hatred, as outlined by CBS News and Reuters.

Following the announcement of her death, numerous tributes highlighted Bardot's cultural significance and her influence on animal rights in France. The mayor of Saint-Tropez, where she spent her later years, praised her as a passionate advocate for animals and an enduring symbol of the town's history, noting that she "helped to make Saint-Tropez shine across the world," reflecting sentiments shared across various statements from her fans and the public according to Reuters and Channel News Asia.