Brigitte Bardot, the legendary French film star who became an international sex symbol before abandoning cinema to devote herself to animal rights activism — while also embracing controversial far-right political views — has died at the age of 91.

Bardot first shot to global fame in 1956 with her provocative breakthrough role, which instantly transformed her into one of the most desired and recognizable women in the world. Her carefree beauty and onscreen sensuality came to define a new era of modern femininity in post-war Europe.

In 1959, philosopher Simone de Beauvoir described Bardot as the embodiment of a changing France, symbolizing a society slowly moving away from conservatism and toward sexual liberation. The New York Times later observed that Bardot “personified France in a literal way,” noting that she became the first celebrity chosen to represent Marianne, the national symbol of the French Republic.

However, Bardot’s relationship with the French public grew increasingly strained over the decades. After retiring from acting in the early 1970s, she became a fierce advocate for animal protection — but also drew repeated criticism, and several fines, for inflammatory remarks about immigration and Islam that aligned her with France’s far-right political movement.

Reacting to the news of her death, far-right leader Marine Le Pen paid tribute on Sunday, calling Bardot “incredibly French — free, untamable, and utterly herself.”