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Bardot memorabilia sale in Paris raises nearly €1m for animals
An auction of French film star Brigitte Bardot's personal belongings has raised nearly €1 million in Paris, exceeding estimates by almost twenty-fold. The sale of 285 objects from Bardot's homes is significant because it continues her life's work campaigning for animal welfare, with proceeds benefiting her animal rights foundation and her son.
The auction attracted approximately 3,000 international bidders and saw individual items dramatically outperform their estimates, including dog collars valued at €30 selling for €9,400, a self-portrait fetching nearly €40,000, and two guitars rising from a €300–€500 estimate to €8,600 and €1,900 respectively. The Brigitte Bardot Foundation, established in 1986, has since rescued 13,000 animals through its shelters and partners operating across 70 countries. However, the sale sparked controversy when Bardot's widower, Bernard d'Ormale, condemned it as disrespectful to her memory, though the foundation noted the auction had been approved by its board before his recent removal as president.
In short
- Brigitte Bardot's auction raises €1m for animal welfare, far exceeding estimates
- Personal items from film star turned activist fetch record prices at Paris sale
- Widower criticised auction as disrespectful days before being removed from foundation leadership
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The sale can be seen as a practical continuation of Bardot’s animal-welfare work: it raised far more than expected for a foundation that supports rescue efforts, and its board had approved the auction. Turning personal belongings into funds for that cause may be a fitting way to give them lasting purpose.
The case against
The auction may be viewed as disrespectful because personal possessions carry intimate meaning beyond their market value, and selling them after Bardot’s death could seem to diminish her privacy and memory. Her widower’s objection gives weight to the concern that the foundation’s charitable purpose does not, by itself, settle whether the sale was appropriate.
Explained simply
Brigitte Bardot was a French actor who became an international film star in the 1950s and 1960s. She later became known for campaigning for animal welfare and founded the Brigitte Bardot Foundation in 1986.
The foundation works with shelters and partner organisations in many countries to rescue animals. Bardot’s belongings have both personal and financial value, and the sale has drawn attention to how money from her estate can support that work.
The auction also prompted disagreement within Bardot’s family and foundation. Her widower, Bernard d’Ormale, objected to the sale, while the foundation said its board had approved it.
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Originally published by The Guardian as “Brigitte Bardot’s personal items sell for nearly €1m at auction in Paris”.