Brigitte Bardot, Who Is 'Not Afraid of Aging' at 89, Sparks Discussion in before & after Photos

Brigitte Bardot, the iconic French actress, has once again captured public attention—not for her legendary film roles or timeless style, but for a contrasting pair of photos and her choice to live a quiet, private life.

At 89, Brigitte Bardot has sparked discussion through before and after photos circulating online, which juxtaposed her youthful glamour with her present-day simplicity.

In the left photo, she was 26, with pouted lips, blonde coiffed hair, striking eye makeup, and an elegant neck. In the right photo, she was 73, with relaxed lips, gray hair, subtle eye makeup, and a neck that tells a story of years well-lived.

Netizens reacted with a mix of surprise and admiration. One user marveled, "Wow what a change!" while another couldn't help but scrutinize, "Are they the same person, noses are different shape and one mouth is much wider than the other. surely features don't expand with age."

The transformation sparked a mixture of sympathy and awe, with one person lamenting, "It's difficult to be so beautiful and then what getting older does.. I don't know who she is, but I would not recognized her."

Another remarked, "She did not age well, sad but life is like a bowl of cherries..." However, others defended her beauty, stating, "She's still beautiful." One user reflected, "Only the brave can face aging."

Yet, there was also admiration for her courage, with someone noting, "One of the most beautiful women in the world in her 20ies, one of those who are not afraid of getting old." Despite the mixed reactions from netizens, aging is something Bardot thinks about the least.

In a 2012 interview, Bardot shared her thoughts on aging and said she does not "feel old or used up." She continued, "And I don't have time to waste thinking about aging, because I live only for my cause. Today, there are more regulations on cars than for animals."

Bardot's popularity soared in the 1950s and 1960s, and she retired from acting in 1973. Despite her retirement, public interest in her life remains high.

In July 2023, Bardot, then 88, experienced a health scare due to a blistering heatwave in Saint-Tropez that exceeded 40°C. Her husband, Bernard d’Ormale, revealed that "ambulances got the wrong address" before eventually reaching their home.

He recalled that Brigitte had trouble breathing at around 9 in the morning. "It was harder than usual, but she didn’t lose consciousness. Let’s call it a moment of respiratory distraction," he added.

D’Ormale emphasized that the emergency personnel effectively addressed the situation. Fortunately, she survived the ordeal, and a spokesperson reported that she is "much better" and resting after dealing with a respiratory problem caused by the extreme heat.

Bardot's husband also noted, "Like all people of a certain age, she can no longer bear the heat. It happens at 88, she must not make unnecessary efforts."

Even though Bardot retired from film decades ago, she remains puzzled by the ongoing public interest in her life. She expressed her frustration in a letter to Oscar-nominated filmmaker Danièle Thompson.

Thompson has penned screenplays for acclaimed films such as "La Reine Margot," featuring Isabelle Adjani and Daniel Auteuil, and the romantic comedy "Cousin Cousine," which earned her an Oscar nomination in 1977.

Thompson intended to create a drama series about Bardot and reached out to her. In response, Bardot sent a very lengthy letter. When she read the first page of the letter, her heart sank.

Bardot wrote that she would be very upset and cause problems. She also expressed that she "want to be left alone."Her letter also stated, "I don't understand why the whole world is still talking about me, I stopped working in movies years ago and I want to take care of my animal cause."

However, Bardot conceded on the next page of her letter, expressing that if the project were to proceed, she preferred Thompson to handle it, though she wasn't enthusiastic about it.

Thompson noted that Bardot had seen the new production and liked Julia de Nunez, the actress portraying her. She added, "More than other great actresses of her generation, Bardot knew how to shatter taboos and change the image of women in the society of her day."

Although she likes to live privately, Brigitte Bardot's presence remains to be sought. In October 2023, the revered icon was spotted out in a rare appearance. On her 89th birthday, paparazzi captured pictures of Brigitte enjoying a drive in the South of France.

The starlet was seen driving in a mini white van from her La Madrague villa to her abode in La Garigue. Her legendary blonde hair was tied back, only allowing a few loose wisps to frame her face. She also had on big sunglasses shielding her eyes from the sun.