Roger Vladimir Plemiannikov, born in Paris in 1928, was the son of a diplomat. He met Brigitte Bardot when she was only 15 and married her in 1952 when she turned 18. They both achieved instant success with his 1956 film, 'And God Created Woman' which starred Bardot. He also directed her in 'Clair de Lune' in 1958. Brigitte Bardot was the first of Vadim's five wives including Annette Stroyberg, Jane Fonda, Catherine Schneider and Marie-Christine Barrault. He died in 2000.

Bardot, known as the "sex kitten" of France, retired from acting after a very successsful career in film, at the age of 37. She since has dedicated herself to her animal rights organization, "The Brigitte Bardot Foundation".