India, Dec. 29 -- Brigitte Bardot, the French film legend whose image defined a generation and whose later life was devoted to animal rights, has died at age 91, her foundation announced on Sunday.

Announcing her death and recalling 'BB',as the actress was popularly called in her home country, her foundation said in a statement, "The Brigitte Bardot Foundation announces with immense sadness the passing 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 the defense of animals and her Foundation."

Bardot was a global cultural icon, rising to fame in the 1950s and 1960s with films like Et Dieu. crea la femme (And God Creat...