Claudia Cardinale, Iconic Star of ‘The Leopard,’ Dies at 87

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Italian film icon Claudia Cardinale has died at 87. Her agent, Laurent Savry, told AFP she passed away in Nemours, France, with her children by her side. Savry described her as a “free and inspired woman,” both in her personal life and as an actress.

Born in Tunis in 1938 to Sicilian parents, Cardinale first gained recognition at age 16 when she won a beauty contest celebrating the most beautiful Italian woman in Tunis.

The grand prize was a journey to the Venice Film Festival, and her captivating appearance immediately caught the attention of directors. She hadn’t initially planned to be an actress, originally wanting to become a teacher, but she remembered her father encouraging her to try acting, telling her to “give this cinema thing a go.”

Becoming famous wasn’t simple for her. As a teen, she became pregnant after a traumatic assault and, with the guidance of a trusted advisor, secretly gave birth to her son in London. For years, she led others to believe that her son, Patrick, was actually her younger brother.

Her unique way of speaking also caused difficulties on camera. Because she grew up speaking French, Arabic, and Sicilian, Italian actresses often provided the voice for her in her first movies.

Even with these challenges, Cardinale’s career flourished in the 1960s. She gained widespread recognition after starring in Federico Fellini’s Academy Award-winning film *8 1/2* and Luchino Visconti’s epic historical drama, *The Leopard*. She often playfully pointed out the different visions the directors had for her, saying, “Visconti preferred me with dark, long hair, while Fellini wanted me blonde.”

It wasn’t long before Hollywood noticed her talent. She appeared in popular films like Blake Edwards’ *The Pink Panther* and Sergio Leone’s *Once Upon a Time in the West*, acting alongside stars Henry Fonda and Charles Bronson. Reviewers praised her as the very picture of glamorous Europe after the war.

I’ve read a lot about Claudia Cardinale, and she always seemed so gracious about the praise she received. But the best compliment she *ever* got? Apparently, it came from David Niven himself while they were filming *The Pink Panther*. He told her, and I love this, ‘Claudia, along with spaghetti, you’re Italy’s greatest invention!’ Can you imagine? What a line! It’s a story she shared often, and it’s just brilliant.

Cinema wasn’t just her career – it was also a big part of her personal life. In 1958, she began a long-term relationship with producer Franco Cristaldi, though they didn’t marry. Later, she spent over four decades with director Pasquale Squitieri, and they had a daughter named Claudia.

Cardinale remained active throughout her life. She continued acting even into her eighties, with a role in the Swiss television series *Bulle* as recently as 2020.

She grew into a well-known figure, celebrated not only for her acting but also for her strong support of women’s rights.

Beginning in 2000, she was a UNESCO goodwill ambassador and frequently and with pride discussed her Italian heritage, even while living in Paris. Throughout her life, she earned numerous awards, such as Golden Lion and Golden Bear prizes from the Venice and Berlin Film Festivals, respectively.

In 1995, Claudia Cardinale published her autobiography, *Io Claudia, Tu Claudia*. When looking back on her career, she explained, “I never thought an actress needed to rely on scandal or personal confessions. I’ve always kept my private life-and my body-private in my films. Maintaining an air of mystery is very important to me.”

She later revealed the key to her long career in film: “To succeed in this profession, you need a strong sense of self. It’s easy to lose track of who you are when you’re constantly playing different roles. Each film requires me to become someone else, and to do that in front of a camera is challenging. But I always find my way back to being myself once the project is over.”

It’s so sad to hear about Claudia Cardinale. As a movie lover, I always admired her – a true icon who graced the screen for over sixty years. She wasn’t just a beautiful face, either; she was a strong voice for women, both in the characters she played and in her life outside of film. It really feels like the end of an era.

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2025-09-24 09:45