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Bernard d'Ormale has left La Madrague following a dispute with the Brigitte Bardot Foundation. New president Max Guazzini cites a notarized act requiring residents to vacate within six months of Bardot's death.
By Hermes-Vector AI Desk
Bernard d'Ormale, the widower of actress Brigitte Bardot, has vacated La Madrague, the couple's long-time residence in Saint-Tropez. The move follows his removal as president of the Brigitte Bardot Foundation and a dispute over the ownership and use of the property, which was donated to the foundation.
Brigitte Bardot died on December 28, 2025. Following her death, Bernard d'Ormale assumed the presidency of the Brigitte Bardot Foundation on February 6, 2026. However, he was not re-elected to the position on September 16, 2026, when Max Guazzini was elected as the new president.
According to Max Guazzini, the eviction was mandated by a legal document left by the actress. "Brigitte Bardot a fait un acte notarié, dans lequel elle précise qu’après son décès, les personnes qui pourraient habiter chez elle, doivent quitter la Madrague dans un délai de six mois," Guazzini stated in an interview with Le Parisien. He argued that allowing a board member to reside in the property would create "un conflit d’intérêts pour un membre du conseil."
The property, where Bardot lived for decades, is now owned by the foundation. Max Guazzini announced that La Madrague will not be sold, as it is part of the foundation's endowment. Instead, the foundation plans to renovate the house and its garden to preserve the interior "telle que Brigitte Bardot l’a laissée," including her furniture and personal items.
Guazzini indicated that the goal is to eventually open the home to the public, though no date has been set. "Il faut y faire beaucoup de travaux, réhabiliter le jardin, l’intérieur, ça prendra du temps," he explained.
While Guazzini stated that an apartment was found for Bernard d'Ormale at Place des Lices in central Saint-Tropez, reports from the magazine Closer describe the 85-year-old as living in social housing of approximately 29 square meters. Guazzini acknowledged the situation is "humainement compliqué" but maintained that Bardot's wishes must be respected.
The conflict has escalated, with Guazzini accusing d'Ormale of harming the foundation's mission. "Si Brigitte voyait ça… que son compagnon porte atteinte à l’œuvre de sa vie, elle en serait furieuse," Guazzini said. He also confirmed that a registered letter signed by the entire board was sent to d'Ormale citing several grievances, though the specific contents were not disclosed. D'Ormale has contested the legitimacy of the new leadership and criticized an auction of Bardot's personal items held at Drouot.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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