Brigitte Bardot's Legacy Sparks National Tribute Debate in France

Tue Dec 30 2025 16:16:34 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The recent death of film icon Brigitte Bardot has reignited discussions about her legacy, with calls from some political figures for a national tribute to honor her contributions, sparking a divided response across the political spectrum.

Brigitte Bardot, the iconic French actress, passed away at the age of 91, prompting Éric Ciotti, a right-wing political figure, to call for a national tribute in her honor. The proposal has garnered over 23,000 signatures, but faces opposition from left-leaning politicians who argue that her controversial remarks and departure from republican values should be considered. While Bardot was celebrated by President Macron as a 'legend of the century', her legacy remains divisive due to her far-right views and past convictions. A private burial is planned, alongside potential ceremonies acknowledging her unique place in French culture.

French right-wing figure Éric Ciotti has called for a national tribute to honour film legend Brigitte Bardot, prompting objections from political opponents on the left.

France has a duty to honour its Marianne, said Ciotti, referring to the emblem of French liberty whose face Bardot was chosen to represent in the 1960s.

Bardot died on Sunday aged 91. A petition launched by Ciotti since has attracted more than 23,000 signatures, and has the backing of some allies on the far right.

But Socialist leader Olivier Faure has pointed out that national homages are for exceptional services to the nation. Bardot was an iconic actress but she also turned her back on republican values, Faure argued.

Bardot has been hailed by President Emmanuel Macron as a legend of the century who embodied a life of freedom, and Ciotti, who leads the right-wing UDR party, has appealed to him to organise a national send-off.

Ciotti said France should recognise a woman who brought her country an extraordinary level of international recognition and actively helped in the fight for women's liberty and abortion rights.

Meanwhile, the mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi, has announced that his city will name an iconic site in Bardot's honour.

But Bardot is destined to remain controversial in death as she was during her life. Faure pointed out that she had been convicted five times for inciting racial hatred.

Bardot starred in some 50 films, after bursting on to the scene in And God Created Woman in 1956.

She then left the world of cinema in 1973 for a life devoted to animal welfare, and lived for decades in Saint-Tropez on the French Riviera, at her home called La Madrague.

However, she became as well known for her far-right sympathies as she was for her love of animals. Some of her remarks targeted Muslims, and others insulted the people of the French Indian Ocean island of Réunion.

There are differing types of national tribute in France, and French society remains split on how to honour a figure like Bardot, whose contributions, while significant in terms of cinema and culture, have been marred by her controversial stances and remarks.