Brigitte Bardot left behind a controversial legacy. Despite being considered a substantial French pop cultural icon and an animal rights activist, the late 91-year-old was also known for her unapologetic, political and social beliefs. After news of her death broke in December 2025, many pointed out her past strained relationship with her son, Nicolas-Jacques Charrier, her comments against Muslims, the LGBTQ community and the #MeToo movement.
Moreover, Bardot’s marriage to fourth husband, Bernard d’Ormale, also sparked public debate because he is a former adviser to politician Jean-Marie Le Pen, who was previously convicted of inciting racial hatred multiple times.
Below, News47.us breaks down Bardot’s most controversial comments and scandals from her past.
In her 1999 book, Le Carre de Pluton, Bardot wrote about immigrants coming to France. In one excerpt, she criticized, “My land is again invaded by an overpopulation of foreigners, especially Muslims,” which led to a French court fining the And God Created Woman actress 30,000 francs in 2000, according to several outlets.
Additionally, Bardot criticized the ritual slaughter of sheep during the Muslim festival known as Eid al-Adha.
Bardot was fined in France multiple times over her comments about Muslims.
In 2018, Bardot raised eyebrows around the world when she described the #MeToo movement as “hypocritical, ridiculous and uninteresting” during an interview with the magazine Paris Match.
