Introduction

For more than three decades, Bernard d’Ormale stood beside one of the most famous women in modern French history — not as a celebrity, but as a steadfast, private partner. While the world knew Brigitte Bardot as a screen legend, fashion icon, and later a polarizing political and animal-rights figure, few truly knew the man she chose to spend the final chapter of her life with.

Following Brigitte Bardot’s death in December 2025 at age 91 after a sudden illness, public interest has naturally turned to Bernard d’Ormale — her husband of 33 years. Yet unlike Bardot’s earlier partners, d’Ormale remained largely outside the spotlight, deliberately avoiding fame even while living beside it.

This article explores who Bernard d’Ormale really is, his life before Bardot, his career, beliefs, and the deeply private marriage that became Bardot’s longest and most stable relationship.

Who Is Bernard d’Ormale?

 

Bernard d’Ormale is a French businessman, political adviser, and film-industry investor, best known as the fourth and final husband of Brigitte Bardot. Born on August 15, 1941, in Marseille, France, d’Ormale built a career across multiple continents long before his name became associated with Bardot.

Reserved, discreet, and resistant to celebrity culture, he has often described himself as “not a man for the limelight” — a trait that ultimately aligned with Bardot’s own growing aversion to fame.

His Connection to Brigitte Bardot

Bernard d’Ormale married Brigitte Bardot on August 16, 1992, in a ceremony held in strict privacy in Norway. Their union marked Bardot’s fourth marriage, following earlier marriages to Roger Vadim, Jacques Charrier, and Gunter Sachs.

Unlike Bardot’s previous relationships — many marked by infidelity, emotional turmoil, and intense media scrutiny — her marriage to d’Ormale proved remarkably stable and enduring, lasting until her death in 2025.

Why He’s Relevant Now

Interest in Bernard d’Ormale has increased following Brigitte Bardot’s passing on December 28, 2025, when she died peacefully at her home in southern France after complications from a sudden illness.

As Bardot’s surviving spouse and closest companion in her later years, d’Ormale has become central to discussions about her final chapter — though, true to form, he has remained largely silent and out of public view.

Early Life & Childhood

Bernard d’Ormale was born during World War II-era France to a French father and an Australian mother, a detail that gave his upbringing an international dimension.

He spent part of his childhood and adolescence in South America, an experience that later shaped his business ventures and global outlook. Unlike Bardot, whose youth unfolded under cameras and contracts, d’Ormale’s early life was private, mobile, and grounded in commerce rather than culture.

Family Background, Parents & Siblings

• Father: French (name not publicly disclosed)

• Mother: Australian

• Siblings: None publicly known

Through marriage, d’Ormale became the brother-in-law of Mijanou Bardot, Brigitte Bardot’s younger sister and former actress, and Patrick Bauchau, Mijanou’s husband and a Belgian actor.

Education

Specific details about Bernard d’Ormale’s formal education have never been publicly documented. What is evident, however, is a career shaped by practical experience, international business exposure, and political involvement rather than academic celebrity.

Career or Profession

Bernard d’Ormale built his career as a businessman and investor, working extensively in:

• South America

• Francophone Africa

His ventures spanned multiple industries, including:

• Textiles

• Aviation

• Film production and distribution

After returning to France, d’Ormale entered politics, becoming a close adviser to Jean-Marie Le Pen, founder of the far-right National Front party (now National Rally).

This political alignment would later overlap with Bardot’s own controversial public positions, though d’Ormale himself remained far less vocal.

Connection to the Celebrity (Brigitte Bardot)

Bernard d’Ormale met Brigitte Bardot in June 1992 at a dinner in Saint-Tropez, organized by Jany Le Pen (Jean-Marie Le Pen’s wife) and Jean-Louis Bouguereau, Bardot’s lawyer.

In her memoir Initiales B.B., Bardot described their meeting as love at first sight.

Within weeks, they decided to marry.

Their wedding took place quietly in Norway, followed by a single Paris Match cover in October 1992 to confirm the union publicly.

They later settled at La Madrague, Bardot’s iconic Saint-Tropez property purchased in 1958, where they lived together for decades.

Their Relationship Dynamic

D’Ormale’s presence coincided with Bardot’s post-acting life, as she had retired from cinema in 1973. There were no collaborative films or creative projects between them.

Instead, their bond centered on:

• Privacy

• Political alignment

• A shared devotion to animal rights

According to d’Ormale, their relationship also encouraged Bardot to reconnect — briefly — with her estranged son, Nicolas-Jacques Charrier, whom she had with her second husband, Jacques Charrier.

Personal Life & Relationships

Bernard d’Ormale has no publicly known children. His life with Bardot was largely insulated from society events, premieres, and celebrity circles.

He supported Bardot through health challenges, including a respiratory scare in July 2023, when emergency services were called to La Madrague during a heatwave. D’Ormale later reassured the public that she was recovering, attributing the incident to extreme temperatures.

Net Worth

Bernard d’Ormale’s net worth is not publicly disclosed. His wealth is believed to stem from decades of international business investments rather than entertainment or inheritance. There is no public indication that he manages or benefits financially from the Brigitte Bardot Foundation, though he supports its mission.

Interesting Facts About Bernard d’Ormale

• He is Bardot’s longest-serving husband, married for 33 years

• He deliberately avoided fame despite global attention

• He has an Australian mother and lived in South America

• He worked in politics as a National Front adviser

• He shared Bardot’s lifelong passion for animal welfare

 

Recent News or Updates

Following Brigitte Bardot’s death in December 2025, Bernard d’Ormale has remained out of public view. Bardot reportedly died peacefully at home after a sudden illness.

She is survived by:

• Her husband Bernard d’Ormale

• Her son Nicolas-Jacques Charrier

No public memorial statements have been issued by d’Ormale.

Conclusion

Bernard d’Ormale’s life stands in quiet contrast to the woman he loved. Where Brigitte Bardot lived in global view, d’Ormale chose restraint. Where she sparked controversy, he offered steadiness.

As the world reflects on Bardot’s legacy — her beauty, activism, and contradictions — Bernard d’Ormale remains the constant presence of her final decades: private, loyal, and intentionally unseen.

Sometimes, the most enduring love stories are the ones lived away from the spotlight.

FAQs

Who is Bernard d’Ormale?
He is a French businessman and political adviser, best known as the husband of Brigitte Bardot.

When did Bernard d’Ormale marry Brigitte Bardot?
They married on August 16, 1992, in a private ceremony in Norway.

Was Bernard d’Ormale involved in politics?
Yes. He served as an adviser to Jean-Marie Le Pen of the National Front.

Did Bernard d’Ormale and Brigitte Bardot have children together?
No. Bardot’s only child is Nicolas-Jacques Charrier from a previous marriage.

Where did Bernard d’Ormale live with Brigitte Bardot?
They lived together at La Madrague, Bardot’s home in Saint-Tropez.