Brigitte Bardot's Lifelong Crusade Evident in Final Social Media Post

Brigitte Bardot, the iconic French actress and singer, passed away Sunday at the age of 91. Bardot's death was confirmed in a statement from the Brigitte Bardot Foundation for the Welfare and Protection of Animals, which she founded in 19806.

"The Brigitte Bardot Foundation announces with immense sadness the passing of its Founder and President, Brigitte Bardot, the world-renowned actress and singer, who chose to abandon her prestigious career to dedicate her life and energy to animal welfare and her Foundation," the statement reads.

While Bardot became known worldwide for her on-screen presence and sex symbol status, it was her love of animals that became the Viva Maria! star's lasting legacy.

Bardot's commitment to animal rights, which began in the 1960's, was evident in her final social media post, shared one day before her passing.

A helping hand until the end

On Saturday, Bardot's foundation posted video asking for help for a young Doberman named Urphé, who suffers from severe generalized arthritis.

Bardot appears in the clip seeking adoption for the 2.5-year-old pooch, where she can be seen petting Urphé.

"He is a very sweet dog, very people-oriented, very affectionate, and very playful," the caption for the post reads. "He needs to experience life because he has only known the kennel. We are sending out an SOS today for Urphé.

"Urphé's tragedy is that he suffers from severe generalized arthritis. Cervical arthritis that could lead to paralysis. The Foundation is urgently seeking a family. A family who wants to give a chance to a dog whose health is deteriorating. It broke our hearts to learn of his diagnosis, and that is why we are making this appeal today."

Bardot sacrificed her career to fight for animals

Bardot's first foray into animal activism came in 1962, when she appeared on the French television program 5 colonnes à la une to demand the stunning of animals before slauighter.

She left acting in 1973, and four years later, ventured to the Arctic ice floes to help baby seals. Over the years, Bardot also fought against various animal-related issues such as the consumption of horse meat, killing of dolphins and slaughter of stray dogs in Bucharest.

"The Brigitte Bardot Foundation wishes to honor the memory of an exceptional woman who gave everything and sacrificed everything for a world more respectful of animals," said Bardot's foundation in today's statement. "Her legacy lives on through the actions and campaigns that the Foundation pursues with the same passion and unwavering commitment to her ideals."