Brigitte Bardot, the iconic symbol of French beauty and cinema, was forced to publicly deny fake news about her death. The 91-year-old actress, through a post on her X (formerly Twitter) account, put an end to the fake news that started from an influencer and caused a wave of confusion in France and abroad.
The Brigitte Bardot death rumor started from an influencer
The misinformation began with 27-year-old influencer Aqababe (real name Anis Zitouni), who posted that Bardot had died, accompanying the “news” with details about alleged funeral preparations. Specifically, in his post he mentioned that “her coffin was ordered in Saint-Paul-de-Jarret, in department 09 (Ariège). A symbol has left life, leaving behind an unforgettable legacy.” The post was shared by hundreds of accounts before he deleted it a few hours later.
Brigitte Bardot’s response
Brigitte Bardot herself responded immediately through her personal X account, writing: “I don’t know which fool spread this fake news about my death tonight, but know that I’m fine and have no intention of leaving this life. For those who need to understand this.” Her post went viral within hours, gathering thousands of retweets and support messages from fans worldwide.
Je ne sais pas quel est l’imbécile qui a lancé ce soir cette fake news sur ma disparition mais sachez que je vais bien et que je n’ai pas l’intention de tirer ma révérence. À bon entendeur
— Brigitte Bardot (@brigitte_bardot) October 22, 2025
The influencer’s persistence despite the denial
Despite the clear denial from the 91-year-old actress, Aqababe continued to insist, claiming that “she’s not the one managing her account” and that “the news will be confirmed by AFP.” His stance sparked intense reactions on social media, with many users condemning the dangerous spread of false news and lack of ethics on social media platforms.
J’ai supprimé mon tweet exclusif concernant le décès de Brigitte Bardot. Ce n’est pas elle qui gère son Twitter, vous verrez bien au moment de l’officialisation du deces par l’AFP https://t.co/NebaFlJKDZ
— AQABABE (@AQABABE_) October 22, 2025
Brigitte Bardot’s health journey
The health rumors didn’t emerge randomly. On October 16, French newspaper Var-Matin reported that Bardot was hospitalized for nearly three weeks at a private clinic in Toulon, where she underwent a “minor surgical procedure” due to a “serious illness.” Sources at the time noted that the actress’s condition was “concerning but stable” and she was expected to be discharged to return home to Saint-Tropez. Finally, on March 17, her office announced that the surgery went well and the star was recovering fully. However, the rumors that circulated later about her death showed how easily reality can be distorted on the internet.
International media reactions
The “communication hoax” news was heavily commented on by international press. The Daily Mail called it an “irresponsible action that caused global panic,” while Le Monde noted that “the fake news phenomenon knows neither age nor respect for symbols.” The BBC reported that “the incident highlights the dangers of social media when used without filtering and journalistic responsibility.” Several French television networks, including BFMTV and France Info, broadcast Bardot’s post live, reassuring the public and praising her readiness to personally deny the rumor.
A symbol that remains alive
Brigitte Bardot, although retired from cinema for decades, remains one of France’s most recognizable faces. With her career spanning more than 40 films and her advocacy for animal rights continuing today, she proves that at 91 she still has a voice and influence.
