BRIGITTE BARDOT - Regrets & REDEMPTION

FAME, MARRIAGE AND MOTHERHOOD DIDN'T MAKE HER HAPPY, BUT SHE FOUND HER CALLING HELPING ANIMALS

- Serena Kappes

In 1987, Brigitte Bardot stood basking in a five-minute standing ovation. But the French film star wasn't at the Oscars. She was auctioning off her most treasured possessions among them, an 8.36-carat diamond ring and a $17,000 Cartier bracelet to benefit her animal protection charity. "I gave my youth and beauty to men," Brigitte, then 52, said. "Now I give my wisdom and experience to animals."

It's been almost 50 years since Brigitte, now 87, retired from movies, but her private life has often been rich with drama. Raised in a privileged Parisian family, Brigitte started modeling when she was a teen, which led to meeting photographer Roger Vadim. She married him at age 18 and he directed her in 1956's And God Created Woman, which catapulted her to fame.