Brigitte Bardot

Brigitte Bardot was born in Paris on September 28, 1934  to engineer and factory owner Louis Bardot and Anne-Marie "Toty" Bardot.

An aspiring ballet dancer early in life, Brigitte Bardot studied ballet at the Paris Conservatoire for three years.

Bardot's appearance on the cover of Elle magazine in 1950 led to her film debut in Jean Boyer's Le Trou Normand (1952).

Bardot achieved international recognition in 1957 for her role in And God Created Woman (1956).

She recorded more than 60 songs, many in collaboration with Serge Gainsbourg, including the 1968 single "Comic Strip."

Bardot, together with Marilyn Monroe, was the icon of female sexuality in the 1950s and 1960s. Whenever she made public appearances in the United States, her every move was covered by a horde of media.

Bardot on the set of Come dance with Me! in 1959.

Bardot has had four husbands: She was married to director Roger Vadim from 1952 to 1957, actor Jacques Charrier in 1959 to 1962, with whom she had her only child, a son named Nicolas-Jacques, and German millionaire playboy Gunter Sachs from 1966 to 1969. She married her current husband Bernard d'Ormale on August 16, 1992.

According to one book, Bardot has had more than 100 lovers.

The first song that Bob Dylan ever wrote, "Song To Brigitte," was written for Brigitte Bardot. He wrote the song when he was 15 years old.

She is recognized for popularizing bikini swimwear, appearing in it for photographers numerous times.

In 1973, Bardot announced that she was retiring from acting as "a way to get out elegantly." Since retiring, she has devoted herself to animal welfare founding the "Foundation Brigitte Bardot" which is dedicated solely to that cause.

Bardot was unsuccessfully sued by her neighbor after she had his donkey castrated, fearing its interest in her 32-year-old mare Duchess was excessive and that mating could kill the old horse.

Source Daily Mail