Over a remarkable career that has spanned more than six decades, the enigmatic Claudia Cardinale has captivated audiences with her powerful on-screen presence.
Though she never set out to become a star, Cardinale’s path to fame was anything but ordinary—and often marked by hardship. She once said, “Cinema saved my life,” and now at 86, she continues to thrive long after the passing of many of the Hollywood legends she once worked alongside.
Read on to discover more about this iconic actress and what she’s doing today.
As a true legend of both Italian and international cinema, Claudia Cardinale will forever be celebrated for the range, elegance, and depth she brought to her roles. Her beauty and acting prowess allowed her to embody complex, unforgettable characters.
Born in Tunisia to Italian parents, Cardinale initially aspired to become a teacher. At 18, she was drawn to the glitz of an Italian film festival and, quite unexpectedly, was named “The Most Beautiful Italian Girl in Tunisia.”
“I was just helping my mother and some Italian officials organize a film festival,” she recalled. “I wasn’t even supposed to be on stage, but someone pushed me out there, and I was given the title.”
That win earned her a trip to the Venice Film Festival—an adventure that soon turned into a life-changing opportunity. Offers poured in from film producers, but Cardinale initially declined them.
“I saw it like flirting with a man,” she once said. “If you say yes too quickly, he loses interest. But if you say no, he’s more intrigued.”
At the time, she was also pregnant—a fact she kept hidden and that made her wary of stepping into the spotlight.
However, she did accept one offer. Famed Italian producer Franco Cristaldi—known for his influential films spanning from the 1950s to the 1990s—was captivated by her. He signed her to an 18-year contract.
Their relationship became deeply personal and controlling. After they married, Cristaldi managed nearly every aspect of her life—from her movie roles and public image to her social circle and weight. He insisted on keeping her pregnancy a secret, even going so far as to publicly identify her son as her younger brother.
Under Cristaldi’s guidance, Cardinale took on small roles and quickly became known as “Italy’s Sweetheart.” Her breakthrough came with the 1958 romantic comedy Three Strangers in Rome. At the time, she was seven months pregnant and struggling emotionally. Deeply depressed, she even considered ending her life and pleaded to be released from her contract.
Instead, Cristaldi sent her to London under the false pretense that she was learning English for a role, keeping her away from the media. She gave birth to her son, Patrick, in 1958, later revealing that he was the result of a sexual assault. She kept his identity a secret until he turned 19.
‘Violent truth’
In a 2017 interview with Italian journalist Enzo Biagi, Cardinale opened up about the trauma, recounting how she was raped by an older man she didn’t know. “It was horrible,” she said, “but the beautiful thing is that from that violence came my beloved Patrick. I never considered abortion, even though it was a very difficult situation for a young single woman.”
When the man found out she was pregnant, he tried to pressure her into terminating the pregnancy. “But I never even considered it for a second,” she said.
Speaking of Cristaldi, Cardinale remarked, “With him, I was more like an employee than a wife. I was paid a monthly salary for doing four films a year. I didn’t call him by his first name—just by his last. My parents were furious, and I wasn’t in love. He was a great producer, but it’s better to forget the rest.”
She ended their toxic relationship in 1975. Despite the hardships, her acting career flourished.
Rise to Stardom
Cardinale’s big break came when she starred opposite Omar Sharif in the French-Tunisian film Goha. This led to acclaimed performances in films like Rocco and His Brothers (1960) and The Leopard (1963), in which she starred with Burt Lancaster. She also worked with Marcello Mastroianni in 8½, directed by Federico Fellini. Legendary director Martin Scorsese listed both 8½ and The Leopard among his top 12 favorite films.
‘Italian Brigitte Bardot’
In Hollywood, she starred in The Pink Panther with David Niven, and shared the screen with John Wayne and Rita Hayworth in Circus World (1964). Her iconic role in Once Upon a Time in the West (1968), alongside Charles Bronson, Henry Fonda, and Jason Robards, remains a fan favorite.
Cardinale also appeared in The Legend of Frenchie King (1971) with Brigitte Bardot. Despite often being compared to Bardot, Cardinale noted a key difference: “I always thought it was more sensual to leave something to the imagination. I never appeared nude in any film—and I didn’t want to.”
Though her work in Hollywood brought fame and fortune, she found the industry’s patriarchal nature exhausting. In an interview with Life magazine, which dubbed her “the most admired international film star since Sophia Loren,” she said she was willing to leave Hollywood behind if it meant preserving her dignity. “If I have to give up the money, I give it up,” she said. “I don’t want to be a cliché.”
‘You Cannot Stop Time’
Now enjoying a quieter life, Cardinale is at peace with leaving behind the glamour and objectification that once defined her career.
“As a child, I wanted to see the world—and I did,” she reflected. “I never changed my face, never appeared naked. It doesn’t interest me. You cannot stop time, so I prefer to be myself.”
She married Italian director Pasquale Squitieri in 1975 and remained with him until his death in 2017. Together they had a daughter.
In 2022, Cardinale addressed rumors that she had been hospitalized against her will. She reassured the public that she was healthy and living near her family in France, even sending well wishes for a pleasant summer.
Today, Cardinale serves as a UNESCO goodwill ambassador, advocating for women’s rights.
Her life—filled with triumphs, tragedies, and tremendous resilience—continues to inspire women around the world. Claudia Cardinale’s legacy is one of courage and grace.
