Cancer claimed the life of French cinema legend Brigitte Bardot, her husband has confirmed ahead of her funeral taking place in Saint-Tropez today.
Bernard d'Ormale disclosed the cause of death in an interview with Paris Match magazine, ending weeks of speculation following the 91-year-old's passing on December 28.
The revelation comes as mourners gather in the Mediterranean coastal town that became synonymous with the actress throughout her later years.
Mr D'Ormale told the publication that his wife "had tolerated very well the two procedures she underwent to treat the cancer that took her."
Brigitte Bardot died recently at 91
| GETTYPrior to this confirmation, no official explanation for Ms Bardot's death had been made public, with initial reports referring only to a sudden illness following surgery.
The screen icon had undergone two surgical procedures to address her illness before ultimately losing her battle with the disease at her Saint-Tropez residence.
At the time of her death, it was understood that Ms Bardot had been contending with a sudden illness in the weeks following an operation.
The seaside town had served as both her public image and private sanctuary since she stepped away from filmmaking in the early 1970s.
Brigitte Bardot's cause of death has been disclosed
| PAHer foundation announced the news of her passing without specifying details of when or where she died, stating only that the world had lost "an exceptional woman who gave up everything for a world more respectful of animals."
The funeral service was designed to be deliberately low-key, honouring Ms Bardot's longstanding preference for privacy in her final decades.
Mourners assembled in Saint-Tropez for a religious ceremony at the Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption church, with the service restricted to specially invited attendees.
Marine Le Pen, leader of the right-wing populist National Rally, was among those present at the church.
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Brigitte Bardot quit showbiz for a life of activism | PALocal authorities arranged large screens in two of the town's squares, allowing members of the public to watch proceedings.
Following the church service, a private burial was scheduled at a cemetery with views across the Mediterranean, according to municipal officials.
The burial site is also the resting place of Roger Vadim, Bardot's former husband who directed her breakthrough film And God Created Woman in 1956.
Those wishing to pay their respects were invited to attend a separate public tribute nearby.
Bernard d'Ormale confirmed his wife's cause of death
|GETTY
Ms Bardot rose to international stardom following her appearance in And God Created Woman, the 1956 film that established her as a symbol of sensuality and cinematic rebellion.
She went on to feature in approximately 50 additional films before walking away from the industry in 1973.
The actress devoted the remainder of her life to campaigning for animal welfare, establishing the Brigitte Bardot Foundation to pursue this cause.
For much of her later years, she lived a reclusive existence behind high walls in Saint-Tropez, sharing her home with cats, dogs and horses.
Her foundation pledged to continue the work she championed, stating it would carry forward "the actions and battles" with the same dedication to her ideals.