Legendary actor and model Brigitte Bardot dies aged 91

Brigitte Bardot has died at the age of 91 in her home in southern France, a statement has confirmed.

Bardot was considered one of the leading figures of the sexual revolution in the mid-20th Century, starring in 47 films, numerous musicals, and recording over 60 songs.

She became known as a 'sex kitten' due to the number of hedonistic characters she portrayed throughout her career.

Bardot was also known by her initials, BB, and is best known for her role as Juliette Hardy in Et Dieu... créa la femme, which translates to And God Created Woman and firmly cemented her status in French cinema.

Despite her rise to fame through entertainment, she turned her focus to fighting for animal rights after leaving the industry in 1973, founding the Brigitte Bardot Foundation.

She started the foundation in 1986, after decades of interest in animal rights activism.

Bardot starred in dozens of titles over her career (Bettmann/Getty)

In an official statement from the foundation to Agence France-Presse today, they said: “The Brigitte Bardot foundation announces with immense sadness the death of its founder and president, Madame Brigitte Bardot, a world-renowned actress and singer, who chose to abandon her prestigious career to dedicate her life and energy to animal welfare and her foundation.”

It went on to say that the foundation offers its 'sincere condolences' to her family and loved ones, as well as the people of Saint-Tropez.

"The foundation will continue, more than ever, to champion the work of Brigitte Bardot."

Bruno Jacquelin, who spoke on behalf of the Brigitte Bardot Foundation, told The Associated Press that she passed away in her home in southern France.

No cause of death was provided, and there are currently no arrangements in place for funeral or memorial services - the actress was taken to hospital in November.

French President Emmanuel Macron took to X to mourn the actor's death, writing: "Her films, her voice, her dazzling glory, her initials, her sorrows, her generous passion for animals, her face that became Marianne, Brigitte Bardot embodied a life of freedom.

"French existence, universal brilliance. She touched us. We mourn a legend of the century."

The film icon was also known for her strong political views (Photo by Franco Origlia/Getty Images)

Away from her career and animal rights work, Bardot was also known for her strong support for France's Front National, a far-right political party which has since been renamed National Rally.

In the past, she told the Guardian: “On the terrifying surge of immigration, I share [Jean-Marie Le Pen’s] views completely.”

Le Pen founded the party and served as the party's president from 1972 to 2011.

Writing a letter to Nicolas Sarkozy in 2006, who was the interior minister, she claimed that the Muslim population in France was 'destroying our country by imposing its acts'.

Bardot was convicted and fined five times in French courts for inciting racial hatred.