Brigitte Bardot net worth and legacy: how the French icon built her fortune

Brigitte Bardot, one of the most recognisable figures in post-war European cinema, amassed a significant fortune through a career that reshaped film, fashion and modern celebrity culture.

Bardot, who died aged 91, rose to international fame in the 1950s and 1960s, becoming a defining symbol of French cinema and female stardom at a time when global celebrity culture was still taking shape.

How Brigitte Bardot built her wealth

Bardot’s net worth at the time of her death was widely estimated to be between $65 million and $70 million, according to multiple celebrity wealth trackers. Most of her earnings came from her film career, alongside income from music recordings, modelling work and long-term royalties.

She starred in more than 40 films, including And God Created Woman and Viva Maria!, and was among the highest-paid European actresses of her era. Her international appeal ensured continued earnings from global distribution rights, while her music recordings have also generated royalties over the decades.

Fashion influence and lasting income

Bardot’s influence extended far beyond the screen. Her image helped popularise the bikini and the off-the-shoulder style later known as the Bardot neckline, cementing her status as a fashion icon of the 1960s.

Licensing deals, image rights and the continued use of her likeness in fashion and popular culture contributed to her long-term financial security, even after she stepped away from acting.

Bardot retired from the film industry in 1973 at the age of 39 but continued to earn from residuals and the enduring commercial value of her image.

Life after acting and animal rights work

After leaving cinema, Bardot devoted her life to animal rights activism. She founded the Brigitte Bardot Foundation in 1986, directing much of her personal wealth towards campaigns against animal cruelty.

While the foundation was not a commercial venture, Bardot remained financially independent and carefully managed her estate and intellectual property in later life.

A complicated legacy

In her later years, Bardot became a controversial figure in France due to repeated convictions for hate speech linked to her political views. While these controversies shaped public debate around her legacy, they did little to diminish the cultural or financial impact of her earlier work.

The lasting value of a cultural icon

Brigitte Bardot’s fortune reflected more than box office success. It represented a career that helped redefine stardom, femininity and celebrity power in the modern era.

Decades after leaving the spotlight, Bardot remained one of France’s most recognisable figures, with a legacy that continued to generate both cultural influence and financial value until the end of her life.