Brigitte Bardot, who died at the age of 91, was one of the most famous French cultural figures of the 20th century. She first became famous as a movie star in the 1950s and 1960s, known for her strong screen presence and her image as a free and modern woman. Born into a wealthy Parisian family, she trained as a ballet dancer, but her career changed direction when she was discovered by director Roger Vadim. Her role in And God Created Woman made her an international star, even though she never considered herself a serious actress.
During the 1960s, Bardot became a global fashion icon thanks to her distinctive style, including dark eyeliner and natural, tousled hair. She was admired not only for her beauty but also for her independence. In 1973, she suddenly left the film industry to dedicate her life to animal rights activism. She became famous for protesting against fur clothing and animal hunting. However, her later years were controversial. Bardot made offensive statements about minorities and was convicted several times for inciting racial hatred. Despite criticism and scandals, she never apologized for her opinions and claimed to be at peace with herself at the end of her life.
Vocabulary:
• campaigner (noun): a person who actively supports a cause or movement
• ooze (verb): to show or express something strongly and naturally
• ahead of her time (expression): more modern or progressive than others of the same period
• pouty (adj): having lips that appear full or pushed forward
• tousled (adj): messy in a natural or attractive way
• activism (noun): actions taken to bring about social or political change
• fur (noun): animal hair used to make clothing
• veered (verb): changed direction suddenly, often in a surprising way
• unrepentant (adj): not feeling regret for past actions
Source: CSB Evening News