The inheritance dispute surrounding late French screen icon Brigitte Bardot has intensified following the public release of a private letter that appears to show her cutting off relations with her final partner. Written in November 2022—three years before her passing at her Saint Tropez residence—the hand-written note accuses Bernard de Chiara, her companion of more than 30 years, of patiently destroying her daily.
The Legacy Battle
The leaked document serves as a valuable asset for the opposing side in the legacy battle, which is the animal rights foundation bearing her name. The foundation has faced accusations from de Chiara of rushing to liquidate her estate without consideration for her friends and intimates. De Chiara, who is 85, was recently required to vacate the seaside residence known as La Madrague, a home he shared with Bardot beginning in the early 1990s. Having relied on her financially for decades, reports indicate he currently possesses neither a bank account nor a social security card.
De Chiara also expressed anger after the Brigitte Bardot Foundation hosted a September sale featuring household items primarily removed from the late actress’s Paris apartment. The auction generated nearly €1m (£835,000), which was split between the foundation and Bardot’s only son, Nicolas Charrier. De Chiara stated that he found it extraordinary that a few months after her death, they sought to commercialize her memory.
The Content of the Letter
Beginning with the words, “Bernard, it’s a failure!”, the letter features Bardot explaining that she gave everything hoping to find a companion who could return her love and share her joys and sorrows. She concluded that she had reached the end point of her distress and needed a shoulder and tenderness that he was incapable of providing.
De Chiara, widely known by the adopted name d’Ormale—a play on the French phrase for sleeping badly—was a businessman and former associate of far-right politician Jean-Marie Le Pen. Friends note that he and Bardot shared a turbulent relationship. Although they were never married under French law, he lived with her until the end and cared for her during her final illness.
Estate Division and Future Plans
Upon the reading of her will following her death last December, the estate was divided between the foundation and her son, who resides quietly in Oslo, with no mention of de Chiara. Bardot also directed that La Madrague be vacated within six months of her death. As legal representatives compile a definitive inventory of her assets, the foundation accused de Chiara of removing items from the property, including her Mini Moke jeep. Foundation President Max Guazzini noted that while they do not accuse him of theft, the missing vehicle presents a problem.
The foundation asserts that de Chiara holds no legal claim except for a portion of the Paris flat, which is currently listed for sale, while he temporarily resides in a Saint Tropez town hall apartment. Guazzini acknowledged that humanly one can understand his reluctance to leave, but emphasized that it is the law and reflects Bardot’s explicit wishes.
The high maintenance costs of La Madrague and Bardot’s second home, La Garrigue, require the foundation to generate revenue, as both properties were deteriorated at the time of her death and now demand round-the-clock security. Plans for a museum were scrapped due to the inaccessible car route to La Madrague, leading to alternative proposals such as guided tours, fashion displays, and film shoots. After leaving cinema in 1973, Bardot dedicated her life to animal welfare, with her foundation currently supporting 13,000 animals.
