The charity Brigitte Bardot established has issued a warning about scam merchandise purporting to fund its work following the French actress's death.
The Brigitte Bardot Foundation said it was aware of crude fabrications being advertised online alongside claims the proceeds will go to the animal welfare charity.
It threatened to take legal action against anyone participating in these alleged illegal fundraising efforts, stating: Everyone is asked to respect the memory of the deceased.
Bardot died aged 91 last Sunday. After revolutionising 1950s French cinema and becoming a symbol of sexual liberation, she quit acting to devote her life to animals.
But the actress-turned-activist often faced backlash over controversial remarks regarding various social issues, leading to multiple fines for inciting racial hatred.
Her passing sparked tributes in France, with President Emmanuel Macron describing her as a legend of the century. The Brigitte Bardot Foundation raised alarms over scammers exploiting her legacy through fake merchandise being sold online.
The foundation's statement emphasized that these products, including photographs and AI-generated montages, were unauthorized and financially benefiting neither Bardot nor her charity.
Bardot starred in nearly 50 films, transforming cinema styles and trends before retiring from acting at the age of 39 to focus on animal rights. Her funeral plans encompass a private burial in her beloved Saint-Tropez, reflecting her modest lifestyle and deep connection to animals.
