Brigitte Bardot’s widower outraged, slams auction of star’s personal treasures as cruel ‘joke’

Nice, September 20 — Bernard d'Ormale, the widower of French movie icon Brigitte Bardot, denounced the upcoming auction of his late wife's personal possessions as a "joke" and a disrespectful act to Brigitte's memory. The auction, organized by Bardot's animal welfare foundation, will feature more than 300 items, including portraits, toiletries, a flamenco guitar, and a black tutu, set to take place at Paris auction house Drouot on Monday.

D'Ormale expressed anger, stating, "These are personal items. Why hold this sale? For the animals? It's a joke." He argued that the items should have been preserved as part of Bardot's legacy, rather than being sold to raise funds for the foundation she established. The foundation, which Bardot founded in 1986, has taken in 13,000 animals through four shelters and 150 partner facilities, supporting 350 groups in France and operating in 70 countries.

However, the foundation defended the auction, stating it was approved by the board in June, including d'Ormale, who was then its president. D'Ormale, who has since been removed as head of the foundation, also complained about being denied free access to Bardot's former residence, La Madrague, a property he had lived in for 35 years.