Net Worth Ranker
What Is Brigitte Bardot’s Net Worth?
Brigitte Bardot, a prominent figure in French cinema and a dedicated animal rights advocate, has accumulated a net worth of $65 million. Her wealth stems from a successful career as an actress, singer, author, and model, primarily during the 1950s and 1960s. While she retired from acting in 1973, her contributions to the entertainment industry and her subsequent activism have solidified her financial standing.
Brigitte Bardot’s Career & Earnings
Bardot’s career in the film industry spanned over two decades, during which she starred in 47 films. One of her most iconic roles was in the 1956 film “Et Dieu créa la femme” (“And God Created Woman”), which propelled her to international fame. This film, directed by her then-husband Roger Vadim, was a significant commercial success, grossing over $4 million in the United States alone. The film’s success not only elevated Bardot’s profile but also contributed substantially to her early earnings.
Other notable films that added to her income include “La Vérité” (“The Truth”) from 1960, which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Film, further increasing her international recognition and demand. In 1965, she starred in “Viva Maria!,” a film that showcased her versatility and garnered her a BAFTA nomination. These roles, coupled with numerous other film appearances, established her as one of the highest-paid actresses in France by 1958.
Beyond her acting career, Bardot also ventured into music, releasing several studio albums. Her discography includes “Brigitte” (1963), “B.B.” (1964), “Bonnie And Clyde” (1968), and “Show” (1968). While specific sales figures for these albums are not publicly available, her musical endeavors added another stream of income to her overall net worth. Bardot’s success in these diverse creative fields underscores her multifaceted talent and entrepreneurial spirit.
Brigitte Bardot also wrote several books, including “Noonoah: Le petit phoque blanc” (1978), “Initiales B.B” (1996), “Le Carré de Pluton” (1999), “Un Cri Dans Le Silence” (2003), and “Pourquoi?” (2006). While the precise earnings from her books are not disclosed, these publications have undoubtedly contributed to her overall financial status. “Initiales B.B,” her autobiography, offered an intimate look into her life and career, resonating with fans and critics alike.
Real Estate & Personal Assets
In 1958, Brigitte Bardot invested in a large, secluded ocean-view estate in Saint-Tropez, France, called La Madrague. This property became her primary residence and a symbol of her success and personal sanctuary. The value of La Madrague has likely appreciated significantly over the decades, contributing to her overall net worth. Saint-Tropez is one of the most expensive locations in France. Properties similar to La Madrague can range from several million dollars to tens of millions depending on the features.
Bardot also acquired a second property in the hills near Saint-Tropez, where she provided sanctuary to donkeys, pigs, horses, and cows. While the exact value of this second property is not publicly available, it is reasonable to assume that it represents a substantial asset, given the real estate market in the Saint-Tropez region. This investment reflects her commitment to animal welfare and also adds to her portfolio of valuable assets.
Activism & Philanthropic Contributions
Brigitte Bardot’s commitment to animal rights activism has been a defining aspect of her post-acting career. In 1986, she established the Brigitte Bardot Foundation for the Welfare and Protection of Animals. To fund the foundation, she auctioned off personal belongings and jewelry, raising 3 million francs (equivalent to approximately $500,000 at the time). This initial fundraising effort demonstrates her dedication to her cause and her willingness to leverage her personal assets for the benefit of animals.
The Brigitte Bardot Foundation has been involved in numerous initiatives, including donating over $140,000 over two years to support a program focused on the mass sterilization and adoption of stray dogs in Bucharest. This financial contribution highlights the foundation’s commitment to addressing animal welfare issues on an international scale. The foundation’s annual budget and specific expenditures are not fully transparent, but it is clear that Bardot’s ongoing financial support and fundraising efforts have sustained its operations for over three decades.
Bardot’s activism has also involved direct action and advocacy. She condemned seal hunting in Canada while visiting with Sea Shepherd Conservation Society founder Paul Watson, leading the organization to rename one of its interceptor vessels MV Brigitte Bardot in 2011. Her letters to the Queen of Denmark and the Australian Environment Minister demonstrate her willingness to engage with political leaders to address animal welfare concerns.
Controversies & Legal Matters
Brigitte Bardot’s outspoken views have led to several legal controversies. In 2000, she was fined 30,000 francs for writing in her book “Le Carré de Pluton” that “my country, France, my homeland, my land is again invaded by an overpopulation of foreigners, especially Muslims.” This incident marked the beginning of a series of legal challenges related to her public statements.
In 2004, she was fined €5,000 for inciting racial hatred. In 2008, she was convicted of inciting religious/racial hatred and fined €15,000 for derogatory comments about Muslims in a letter to the then-Interior Minister of France, Nicolas Sarkozy. These convictions have resulted in financial penalties that have impacted her overall net worth. In 2021, she was fined €5,000 for referring to hunters as “sub-men” and “drunkards” possessing “genes of cruel barbarism inherited from our primitive ancestors” on her website, and later that year, she was fined €20,000 for a 2019 open letter to Amaury de Saint-Quentin, the prefect of Réunion, in which she called Réunion inhabitants “autochthonous who have kept the genes of savages.” These repeated fines underscore the financial consequences of her controversial statements and actions.
