Brigitte Bardot Foundation Warns Against Unauthorized Merchandise
The Brigitte Bardot Foundation has issued a public warning regarding "scam" merchandise advertised online. The charity states that these products, which claim to fund its animal welfare work, are unauthorized and illicit, following the recent death of the French actress and activist Brigitte Bardot.
Details of the Warning
The Foundation specified that it is aware of "crude fabrications" being offered for sale across the internet and social media platforms. These include photographs, AI-assisted montages, and various forms of media reproducing Bardot's image, some in fabricated contexts. The charity emphasized that these alleged fundraising campaigns have not received any endorsement from the Brigitte Bardot Foundation.
Legal action is threatened against individuals involved in these "alleged illegal fundraising efforts." The Foundation also requested that the public "respect the memory of the deceased."
Brigitte Bardot's Career and Activism
Brigitte Bardot, who died last Sunday at the age of 91, starred in nearly 50 films during her acting career, including "And God Created Woman" and "Contempt." She was recognized for her influence on 1950s French cinema and her fashion trends, before serving as a model for Marianne, the personified symbol of France.
Bardot retired from acting in 1973, at the age of 39. She later launched her animal rights foundation 13 years after her retirement. In her later life, Bardot faced criticism and legal action for statements made about various groups, resulting in five fines for inciting racial hatred.
Post-Death Tributes and Funeral
Following her death, tributes were offered in France. President Emmanuel Macron stated that the nation was mourning "a legend of the century," acknowledging her films, voice, fame, and dedication to animals.
Bardot's private funeral is scheduled for Wednesday in Saint-Tropez, southern France, where she resided for decades. The burial will take place in a cemetery overlooking her home and the Mediterranean Sea. The Brigitte Bardot Foundation informed French news agency AFP that the ceremony will be "no frills" and "without fuss."