Emergency services rush to treat legendary actress Brigitte Bardot following health scare

Silver screen siren and animal rights activist Brigitte Bardot has been treated by emergency services at her home following a concerning health scare.

On Wednesday, July 19 an ambulance was called to the screen icon’s St. Tropez home after she reportedly had “trouble breathing”.

Bardot’s husband, Bernard d’Ormale, confirmed the incident to French news outlet Var-matin, telling reporters that first responders had initially arrived at the wrong address.

“It was around 9 a.m. when Brigitte had trouble breathing. It was harder than usual but she didn’t lose consciousness. Let’s call it a moment of respiratory distraction. The firefighters arrived, gave her oxygen to breathe and stayed for a moment to watch her,” he said.

He later told the outlet that Bardot had raised concerns about the excessive heat prior to her health scare.

“Like all people of a certain age, she can no longer bear the heat. It happens at 88, she must not make unnecessary efforts,” he said.

d’Ormale revealed that after being treated by paramedics she did not require any further assistance and is recovering at home.

Bardot emerged as one of the most iconic sex symbols of the 1950s and 1960s. Despite retiring from the entertainment industry in 1973, she continues to be a prominent figure in popular culture.

Raised in Paris, Bardot initially had dreams of becoming a ballerina before venturing into acting in 1952. Her breakthrough came in 1957 with the film And God Created Woman, catapulting her to international stardom.

Bardot’s talent earned her the 1961 David di Donatello Best Foreign Actress Award for her performance in The Truth. She later showcased her skills in Jean-Luc Godard’s Le Mépris in 1963 and received a BAFTA nomination for her role in Louis Malle’s Viva Maria! in 1965.

Having retired in 1973, Bardot boasts an impressive filmography of 47 films, including musicals, and a discography featuring over 60 recorded songs.

She was honoured with the Legion of Honour in 1985 and following her retirement, Bardot dedicated herself to animal rights activism and founded the Brigitte Bardot Foundation.

Her passion for animal welfare has landed Bardot in hot water on occasion, regularly facing legal repercussions for her activist efforts and being handed fines for hurling public insults.

Bardot’s contributions have been recognised globally, earning her a place in the United Nations Environment Programme’s Global 500 Roll of Honour, as well as accolades from UNESCO and PETA. In 2011, the Los Angeles Times Magazine ranked her second on their list of the 50 Most Beautiful Women In Film.