Remembering French Film Icon Brigitte Bardot

French President Emmanuel Macron recently paid tribute to Brigitte Bardot, describing her as a symbol of freedom and a defining figure in France’s cultural history. Bardot, known for her films, voice, and passion for animals, passed away at the age of 91.

“Her films, her voice, her dazzling glory, her initials, her sorrows, her generous passion for animals, her face that became Marianne, Brigitte Bardot embodied a life of freedom. French existence, universal brilliance. She touched us. We mourn a legend of the century,” Macron wrote in honor of Bardot’s legacy.

At the peak of her fame in 1973, Bardot made the decision to step away from the spotlight, citing exhaustion and a desire for a break from the constant scrutiny of the camera lens. Her decision to retire was met with mixed reactions, with some fans expressing disappointment while others understood her need for a respite.

James Clarke, a U.K.-based author who has written extensively about Bardot, including the photo book Being Bardot, shared insights into her decision to leave the entertainment industry. “There was some exhaustion there, not just from the pace of work, but just [being] the endless subject of a camera lens, whether it’s a still camera lens or a movie lens,” Clarke explained. “That is one of the things that come[s] out a little bit [in this book]… She got to that point where it’s just like, ‘I’ve kind of done it and 20 years has been sufficient.’