French far-right leader Marine Le Pen to attend Brigitte Bardot’s funeral
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Far-right French politician Marine Le Pen (above) was once described by late actress Brigitte Bardot as a modern “Joan of Arc” who could save the country.
PHOTO: AFP
- Marine Le Pen will attend Brigitte Bardot's funeral on January 7 in Saint-Tropez, while President Macron will not.
- Bardot, who died aged 91, supported Le Pen and faced criticism for anti-immigration views and hate speech convictions.
- A national homage was offered but unanswered, and Bardot's wish for a private burial in her garden was respected.
AI generated
PARIS – France’s three-time presidential candidate Marine Le Pen is to attend the funeral of 1950s and 1960s film star Brigitte Bardot next week, a member of her team said on Dec 30.
President Emmanuel Macron – who on Dec 28 hailed Bardot as a “legend” – will however not attend her funeral, a source in his office said.
Bardot, who died aged 91 on Dec 28,
She was convicted several times in court for hate speech, including against Muslims.
The animal welfare advocate backed Le Pen when she ran for president in 2012 and 2017, describing her as a modern “Joan of Arc” who could save the country.
The presidency has offered Bardot’s family to hold a national homage for her, but they have not responded, the source in Mr Macron’s office added.
Conservative politician Eric Ciotti has called for a national farewell to the blonde screen icon of the new wave, like the one organised in 2018 for French rock star Johnny Hallyday.
But many on the left are against the idea.
Socialist Party leader Olivier Faure opposed it, saying Bardot “was several times convicted of racism”.
Bardot’s animal foundation said her funeral at a church in her southern hometown of Saint-Tropez
The former actor said in 2018 that she wished to be buried in her garden, to avoid a “crowd of idiots” trampling on the tombs of her parents and grandparents.
Saint-Tropez Mayor Sylvie Siri told local media that Bardot’s final wishes had been respected, but provided no further details.
Bardot’s fourth husband Bernard d’Ormale was an adviser to late far-right leader Jean-Marie Le Pen, whose daughter Marine later took over his party.
Le Pen may be barred from a fourth run for the Elysee in 2027 due to a graft conviction.
But her National Rally party sees its best chance yet to winning the presidency in the upcoming polls, with Mr Macron stepping down after two consecutive terms.
Le Pen’s appeal trial in the corruption case begins in January. AFP
