Brigitte Bardot National Tribute Controversy: A Legend’s Final Act Divides France

The blonde bombshell who changed French cinema is making headlines one last time, even in death. Brigitte Bardot passed away on Sunday, December 28, 2025, at the age of 91. While her cinematic legacy is undeniable, a fierce debate has erupted over whether France should grant her a national tribute, pitting right-wing admiration against left-wing condemnation of her controversial political history.

The Brigitte Bardot National Tribute Controversy and Political Friction

Éric Ciotti, leader of the right-wing UDR party, is spearheading the call for a national homage. He argues that France has a duty to honor its "Marianne"—the symbol of liberty Bardot once modeled for. Ciotti’s petition has already gathered over 23,000 signatures. President Emmanuel Macron joined the tributes, calling her a "legend of the century" who embodied a life of freedom.

However, the Left isn’t having it. Socialist leader Olivier Faure pointed out that Bardot was convicted five times for inciting racial hatred. He argues that national homages should be reserved for those who uphold republican values, not those who spent decades attacking them through far-right rhetoric and insults toward minority groups.

Legacy of Activism vs. Racial Hatred Convictions

Bardot’s post-cinema life was defined by two extremes: her fierce defense of animal rights and her increasingly radical political views. Green MP Sandrine Rousseau slammed the hypocrisy of mourning a figure who showed compassion for dolphins but "cynicism" toward migrants dying in the Mediterranean. Despite the friction, the city of Nice has already announced it will name an iconic site after her.

Bardot's funeral is set for January 7, 2026, at the Notre-Dame de l’Assomption church in Saint-Tropez. While she reportedly wanted a simple burial to avoid "crowds of idiots," the event will likely draw massive attention. France now faces the challenge of whether to follow the precedent of rock star Johnny Hallyday’s public farewell in 2017 or respect the privacy she sought in her final years.