This page: Brigitte Bardot arrives at London’s Heathrow Airport to attend the premiere of her latest film Shalako, in which she plays an alluring countess. > Opposite page: Brigitte Bardot in St. Tropez, France, August, 1968; > Inset: Brigitte Bardot with
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Bo n n o tte /Ga mm a - Rap h o v i a Ge tty I m ag es
the show biz “system” for having destroyed Monroe. As for Marilyn, who rarely acknowledged other blondes, she relented for Bardot, when asked. “I think she is so charming,” said Marilyn, who was also probably thinking, “Please stay in Europe!” Brigitte Bardot was born in Paris in 1934, in an upper-middle class Roman Catholic home. She was taught in private school and also at home. Brigitte was encouraged to satisfy her dancing aspirations, and studied ballet for three years at the Conservatoire de Paris. She also modeled. It was on the cover of Elle that 15-year-old Bardot caught the eye of film director Roger Vadim. He sought her out, and told her to forget modeling and become an actress. He was seven years her senior and apparently his advice struck a nerve. They would marry when Bardot was 18, and her film career began at just about the same time. Between 1952 and 1956 she appeared in almost 20 mostly silly films, a stage play (Jean Anouilh’s Invitation to the Castle), and was much fussed over at the 1956
Ce n t ra l Pre s s/ Ge t ty Im a ge s. O P po s i te p a ge : J e a n- P i e r re
Roger Vadim, 1972.