Vintage Photos That Show The Glamorous Life Of Brigitte Bardot

Those who lived through the 1950s and 1960s will most likely remember the iconic French celebrity Brigitte Bardot. Also known as "B.B.", she became famous for her work in acting, modeling, and singing. Later in life, she decided to leave the entertainment industry behind to become an activist. Here are some retro photos of Bardot during her rise to stardom.

Introducing Brigitte Bardot

Brigitte Bardot with a blue background
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Herbert Dorfman/Corbis via Getty Images

Brigitte Anne-Marie Bardot was born on September 28, 1934 in Paris, France. She grew up in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, which is one of the most famous buildings in the city.

Her father was an engineer and owner of several factories and her mother was the daughter of an insurance company director.

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She Studied Ballet

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French actress, Brigitte Bardot, with a bouffant hairstyle and a blue boa, 1960
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Growing up during World War II would be tough on anyone, so Bardot found a way to escape her negative thoughts. She took up ballet at age 13 and was admitted to the Conservatoire de Paris.

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There, she trained with the legendary Russian choreographer, Boris Knyazev. While Bardot had a charmed childhood, she was looking for ways to rebel.

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The Start Of Her Modeling Career

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Portrait of French actress Brigitte Bardot in Spanish dress holding a jug, circa 1960s
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After studying ballet, Bardot wanted to try her hand at modeling. By the time she was 15, she became a junior fashion model and worked for Hélène Gordon-Lazareff at Le Jardin des Modes and Elle magazines.

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She got her first magazine cover that same year, which helped her get some of her first acting roles.

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Her First Movie

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Brigitte Bardot, French actress, model and singer, wearing a blue gingham dress with her hair in plaits, tied with blue bows, sitting in a series of stone steps, 1960
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After appearing on the cover of Elle magazine in 1952, Bardot got her first movie offer. She landed a role in the comedy Crazy for Love.

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This was only a small role for which she was paid just a little over five thousand dollars, but it would soon lead to many more acting offers.

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Meeting Roger Vadim

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Brigitte Bardot with Roger Vadim in the Filming Of
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When Bardot was 18-years-old, she met French director, screenwriter, and producer Roger Vadim. The two fell in love, but her parents were very opposed to their relationship.

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Her father bought her a train ticket to leave the country, but Bardot refused. She and Vadim were married soon after.

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A Short, But Passionate Marriage

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French actress Brigitte Bardot, sitting at a folding table, wearing a man's shirt, circa 1965
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Bardot and Vadim were married on December 20, 1952 at a Paris church. She was 18 and he was 24.

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While their marriage was extremely passionate, it didn't last long. The pair divorced in 1957 and didn't have children together. However, the two remained in touch and would work together later in life.

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Expanding Her Résumé

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French actress Brigitte Bardot wearing a white floral dress in 1955
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From about 1952 to 1955, Bardot was breaking into the acting world with small roles in romantic comedies. Then, the late 50s and early 60s brought her some breakout roles.

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Fans remember her for leading roles in Naughty Girl, Plucking the Daisy, The Bride Is Much Too Beautiful, and And God Created Woman.

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Bardot Created A New Film Archetype

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French actress Brigitte Bardot in Rome, Italy, circa 1962
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Not only was Bardot becoming one of the most famous actresses in the entertainment industry, but there was something else getting people's attention.

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Critics claim that Bardot created the "enchantress" archetype in movies during this time period after being known for her sultry, sensual demeanor. While this made her popular, Bardot would later regret it.

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Going To The Oscars

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French actress Brigitte Bardot stands with her hands on her hips
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After starring in several romantic comedies, Bardot wanted to break out of conventional roles. One of her most iconic movies was the courtroom drama The Truth.

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It became a massive success worldwide and even earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Film. Bardot received a David di Donatello Award for Best Foreign Actress.

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A Second Husband Enters The Picture

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jacques charrier and brigitte bardot in 1959
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While Bardot dated many men after her divorce with Vadim, her next marriage would be with French actor Jacques Charrier.

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She became pregnant with their son, Nicolas-Jacques, before they were married. This would be her only child. The couple's union lasted for about three years until Bardot fell for another man in 1962.

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The Paparazzi Hounded Her

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French film star Brigitte Bardot raises her glass at a press conference
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It didn't take long for Bardot to start receiving massive media attention for her modeling and film work. She was constantly surrounded by paparazzi anywhere she went.

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While some celebrities can't stand cameras in their face, Bardot simply blocked them out of her mind. There were other things that were much more important.

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Coming To America

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Brigitte Bardot with Jean Rochefort on the set of 'A Coeur Joie'
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All of Bardot's success in foreign films led to her accepting some roles in Hollywood. Her first American role was a small part in 1965's Dear Brigitte.

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While her name was in the title and the plot was about a boy who had a crush on her, she only made a brief cameo.

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She Was A Singer Too

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French film star Brigitte Bardot poses for photographers
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Not only did Bardot become one of the most iconic actresses of the early 20th century, but she became a singer as well.

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She performed in several musical shows and also released music. Some of her biggest hits included "Harley Davidson," "Bubble Gum," and several other songs in French.

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Another Husband Comes Her Way

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gunter sachs and bardot at lax
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Bardot was smitten with German millionaire Gunter Sachs and the two were married on July 14, 1966. One of the most romantic things Sachs did for her was having a helicopter spread thousands of rose petals around her St. Tropez home.

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However, the two separated a couple years after their marriage and were officially divorced in 1969.

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Bardot Isn't A True Blonde

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French actress Brigitte Bardot wearing a low-necked red dress, circa 1955
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When fans think of Bardot in her prime, they often picture a blonde bombshell. Most probably didn't realize that she is actually a natural brunette.

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This photo shows her in 1955 with her natural hair just a year prior before she officially went blonde. She decided to ditch her brunette locks for her role in Mio Figlio Nerone.

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A Model Pose Was Named After Her

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bardot wearing a hat
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Not only did Bardot make a huge impact on acting and music, but she was an internationally known supermodel.

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She even created her own pose. The "Bardot pose" involves sitting with your arms and legs crossed while facing the camera. This was first seen in a 1960 photoshoot and has been copied by many models since.

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She Popularized The Beehive Hairstyle

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Roger Vadim directs his ex-wife Brigitte Bardot in the 1961 film La Bride Sur le Cou
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Celebrities tend to be natural trendsetters and Bardot was able to make many fashion firsts throughout her career.

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She popularized a hairstyle called the Choucroute, which is more commonly known as a beehive. "Choucroute" actually translates to sauerkraut in French. Bardot would wear her beehive hair in photoshoots, movies, and public appearances.

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She Loved These Kind Of Tops

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Studio portrait of actor and model Brigitte Bardot wearing a light blue off-the-shoulder dress
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Bardot always made sure to wear the most stylish clothes available, but there was one clothing item she particularly loved.

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She could often be seen wearing open-necked tops that ranged from blouses, dresses, sweaters, or T-shirts. Almost no one was doing this during the 50s and 60s because it was considered a bit too risqué.

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Living In St. Tropez

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bardot wearing a red sweater
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Being a star would take a toll on anyone, so Bardot found a place to escape. In 1968, she purchased a property called The Madrague in the French beach town of St. Tropez.

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She spent a lot of time there with her third husband Gunter Sachs. St. Tropez became Bardot's safe place and she would often be there when she wasn't working.

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The Beatles Loved Her

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Headshot of French actor Brigitte Bardot closing her eyes and holding the rim of her straw hat while basking in the sun outdoors
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Bardot was a fan-favorite even among other celebrities. The Beatles simply adored Bardot and were set on having her star in their musical film A Hard Day's Night.

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While she was not able to do so, the Beatles remained loyal fans. George Harrison even compared her to his wife, Pattie Boyd.

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Why A Ship Was Named After Her

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bardot sitting in a chair wearing black
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Bardot made a huge impact throughout her career and she earned many important and honorable accolades. The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society decided to name a Canadian interceptor vessel after her.

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The MV Brigitte Bardot was named not only to honor Bardot herself but to condemn the practice of seal hunting.

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She Rarely Saw Her Son

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bardot posing for a photo in 1966
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Len Trievnor/Express/Getty Images
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After having a son with her second husband in early 1960, she never really felt a connection to motherhood. She divorced her son's father when he was only two. Her son was then raised by his father's side of the family.

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Bardot and her son did not really see each other during his childhood and only reconnected when he was an adult.

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Going Into Retirement

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bardot with a blue background
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Some celebrities will have a career well into their golden years, but Bardot had finally had enough. In 1973, a year shy of her 40th birthday, Bardot decided to retire from acting.

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She spent much of her downtime in St. Tropez and refused to just sit at home. She had a new calling.

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Bardot The Activist

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bardot fixing her hair
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After appearing in over 40 movies and recording many albums, Bardot decided to switch gears to become an animal rights activist.

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She started her own animal welfare charity, became a vegetarian, and raised millions of dollars in donations. Also, she married her fourth and current husband in 1992 named Bernard d'Ormale.

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She Overcame Adversity At A Young Age

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Full-length image of French actor Brigitte Bardot wearing a red suede coat, beige cords, and a silk scarf over her head
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While Bardot may have seemed practically perfect by how she appeared on screen, many fans probably don't know much about her past.

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During her youth, she was afflicted with an ailment called amblyopia. Amblyopia is most commonly referred to as a "lazy eye." This effected her eyesight, especially in her left eye.