Brigitte Bardot, who gained international fame in 1956 for her role in the film “And God Created Woman,” has described how the intense stardom she experienced was a crushing burden. Retiring in 1973, Bardot expressed her disillusionment with fame, stating she wanted to focus on animal welfare. She described her celebrity status as “literally crushed by celebrity,” calling it a nightmare and saying she couldn’t live under such conditions.

Bardot, who turned 78 at the end of September, revealed in an interview with Vogue Hommes International that she struggled with self-esteem and considered herself ugly, despite efforts to make herself look attractive. This insecurity made it difficult for her to be in the public eye, as she feared not meeting people’s expectations. Now, she feels liberated from those pressures and no longer desires to seduce anyone.

Living a solitary life that suits her contemplative nature, Bardot expressed dissatisfaction with the modern world and suggested she might live a more isolated life if circumstances were different. Bardot, who starred in 47 films and became the face of Marianne, married and divorced several times. Her marriages include those to film director Roger Vadim, actor Jacques Charrier (with whom she had her only child, Nicolas), and German millionaire playboy Gunter Sachs.

In 1992, Bardot married Bernard d’Ormale, a former adviser to the far-right Front National, and supported Marine Le Pen in the 2012 French presidential election, which caused her to fall out of favor with many French people. She has faced legal consequences for racist comments against Muslims.

Currently living on the French Riviera, Bardot dedicates her life to her animal foundations. Despite her difficulty walking and refusal to undergo a hip replacement, she finds solace in observing the beauty of nature and the purity and loyalty of animals, which continue to bring her joy.