French Influencer Doubles Down on Brigitte Bardot Death Rumor in Since-Deleted Post

The former actress and model made headlines earlier this week after a popular social media influencer spread false information claiming she had died — a rumor to which she has personally responded.

A French influencer known as Aqababe has refused to retract his earlier statements, insisting that former actress Brigitte Bardot had passed away. Although Bardot herself had already dispelled the rumor in an X post, Aqababe doubled down.

Despite deleting his original statement, he stood by his words, claiming that Bardot's X account was managed by someone else. In a since-deleted X post written in French, Aqababe — whose real name is Aniss Zitouni — wrote:

"I deleted my exclusive tweet about Brigitte Bardot's death. It's not her who manages her Twitter, you'll see when the AFP officially announces the death."

On Wednesday, October 22, Aqababe claimed he had "exclusive information" regarding Bardot's supposed death. "According to my exclusive information, Brigitte Bardot died today. Her coffin was ordered in Saint-Paul-de-Jarrat in the 09 (Ariège) department," he wrote.

"An icon has passed away, leaving behind an unforgettable legacy and an eternal imprint on the hearts of the French," the 27-year-old continued. Mere hours later, Bardot responded on X in a statement also written in French:

"I don't know who the idiot is who started this fake news about my disappearance this evening, but know that I am fine and that I have no intention of bowing out. A word to the wise."

After Aqababe claimed that Bardot did not personally run her account, on Thursday, October 23, a representative for the former model confirmed to People that she had indeed written her X messages herself before he published them.

The online debacle followed a recent report by French local news outlet Var-Martin, which stated earlier this month that Bardot had been hospitalized for nearly three weeks in Toulon, France. She had undergone minor surgery at a private hospital in the city "as part of a serious illness."

Although sources told the outlet her condition was worrisome, she was expected to be discharged soon and return to her home in Saint-Tropez. A spokesperson for the 91-year-old told the Daily Mail on Wednesday, "Madame Bardot has returned home and is now resting. She's fine."

The last known health scare Bardot faced made headlines in July 2023, when first responders were called to her home as she struggled to breathe amid the Saint-Tropez heat. She had to be placed on oxygen and monitored by medical professionals, according to her husband, Bernard d'Ormale.

"It was around 9 a.m. when Brigitte had trouble breathing," d'Ormale told Var-matin, per the Los Angeles Times. "It was stronger than usual but she didn't lose consciousness… The firemen came and gave her oxygen and then stayed to monitor her."

"Like all people of a certain age, she can no longer stand the heat," he added, referring to Bardot's breathing issue as "a moment of respiratory distraction."

Bardot rose to fame in the 1950s and '60s, gaining notoriety for her femme fatale roles onscreen. She retired from acting in the 1970s and moved to Saint-Tropez, where she has since lived a private life and worked as a dedicated animal welfare advocate.