French actress Brigitte Bardot, who has died aged 91, arguably redefined cinematic allure, captivating the world as a 1950s screen icon.

From her breakout appearance in And God Created Woman to her provocative roles in The Truth, Contempt, and Viva Maria! she pioneered a fresh image of female sexuality and liberation on screen, before dedicating her life to animal rights.

Bardot’s life was one of glamour, controversy, and conviction.

Born in Paris in 1934, Bardot trained as a ballerina before her striking beauty caught the eye of filmmakers.

At 18, she married director Roger Vadim, who cast her in And God Created Woman, a provocative film that launched her to international stardom.

Bardot’s sensual, carefree persona in this French New Wave classic redefined femininity and made her a Cannes sensation.

Through the late 1950s and 1960s, Bardot became a global phenomenon with roles in The Truth, earning critical acclaim for her dramatic depth, and Contempt, a Jean-Luc Godard masterpiece, and Viva Maria!, showcasing her comedic flair alongside Jeanne Moreau.

Her tousled hair and bold eyeliner set fashion trends worldwide, while her performances cemented Bardot as a cinematic trailblazer.

Beyond her most iconic roles, Bardot showcased her versatility in films like Love on a Pillow, where she portrayed a complex, emotionally-torn character, and Two Weeks in September, a romantic drama that highlighted her ability to convey vulnerability.

In The Bear and the Doll , she brought playful charm to a comedic role, proving her range across genres.

These films, though less celebrated, underscored her ability to captivate audiences in diverse narratives.

In 1973, at the height of her fame, Bardot retired from acting at 39 to champion animal rights.

Founding the Brigitte Bardot Foundation, she campaigned against seal hunting and animal testing, channelling her passion into advocacy.

Her bold shift from screen siren to activist surprised many but reflected her commitment to living authentically.

Settling in Saint-Tropez, Bardot embraced a quieter life, far from the spotlight.

She remained a symbol of 1960s glamour and a pioneer for animal rights.

Bardot’s reputation was damaged in her later years, when she made homophobic slurs and was fined multiple times for inciting racial hatred.

It was a scar on the memory of an icon, who – in her prime – put the bikini, female desire, and French cinema on the map.