French film legend Brigitte Bardot dead at 91: foundation

"The Brigitte Bardot Foundation announces with immense sadness the death of its founder and president, Madame Brigitte Bardot, a world-renowned actress and singer, who chose to abandon her prestigious career to dedicate her life and energy to animal welfare and her foundation," it said in a statement sent to AFP, without specifying the time or place of death.

Bardot became a global star after appearing in "...And God created Woman" in 1956, and went on to appear in about 50 more movies before giving up acting to devote herself to defending animal rights.

(AFP)