Laurent Savry, Claudia Cardinale's agent, confirmed her passing on 23/9, according to AFP and French media outlets. She died surrounded by her children in Nemours, near Paris. The cause of death was not disclosed.
"She leaves behind a legacy as a free and inspiring figure, both as a woman and an artist," Savry said.
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The actress in "The Leopard", starring alongside Burt Lancaster and Alain Delon. Photo: Everett Collection |
The actress in "The Leopard", starring alongside Burt Lancaster and Alain Delon. Photo: Everett Collection
Born in Tunisia in 1938, Cardinale was known as "the alluring symbol of post-war Italian cinema". Over a career spanning more than 60 years, she appeared in over 150 films both domestically and internationally, starring in numerous Hollywood productions.
Despite being considered a "dream girl" by many directors, Cardinale's career was marked by both highs and lows. At 16, she won a beauty contest, earning the title of "Most Beautiful Italian Woman in Tunis". This led to an appearance at the Venice International Film Festival, where she became a media sensation.
In an interview, Cardinale revealed that while every director and producer wanted her in their films at that time, she declined all offers. Initially intending to become a teacher, she was persuaded by her father to try acting. At 19, she was assaulted, resulting in a pregnancy from a minor acting role. After giving birth, she concealed her child's true identity, presenting him as her younger brother. Seven years later, Cardinale revealed the truth. "I had to accept these lies to avoid scandal and protect my career," she later explained.
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Claudia Cardinale in 1963. Photo: Photofest |
Claudia Cardinale in 1963. Photo: Photofest
Initially, Cardinale's roles were all dubbed due to her thick French accent. According to the Guardian, she gained international recognition in 1963 with Federico Fellini's 8½, her first film where she used her own voice. The same year, she made a significant impact starring alongside Burt Lancaster in Luchino Visconti's "The Leopard".
Her growing fame opened doors to Hollywood. She appeared in classics like the comedy "The Pink Panther" (1963) and "Once Upon a Time in the West" (1968). However, she remained primarily focused on European cinema, partly due to her reluctance to leave Europe. In a 2002 Guardian interview, she mentioned an unsuccessful attempt by a US studio to sign her to an exclusive contract. "As a European actress, I only went to America to make films," she stated.
Claudia Cardinale in "The Pink Panther". Video: YouTube/ Movieclips
Her career faced challenges in the 1970s after her divorce from producer Franco Cristaldi and subsequent relationship with director Pasquale Squitieri. Cristaldi used his industry connections to blacklist her, costing her a role in Luchino Visconti's final film, "The Innocent" (1976). "It was a very fragile time," Cardinale recalled. "I discovered I had no money left in my bank account."
Director Franco Zeffirelli offered Cardinale a lifeline with a role in the television miniseries "Jesus of Nazareth" (1977). She continued working with European producers. Beyond her beauty, she was known for her husky voice from constant smoking and her image as an independent, free-spirited woman.
After moving to France, she befriended former French presidents Francois Mitterrand and Jacques Chirac. In the early 2000s, she transitioned to stage acting, receiving critical acclaim. She continued contributing to European cinema despite her advancing age, with one of her last works being the Swiss television film "Bulle" in 2020.
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The actress at the 2017 Venice Film Festival. Photo: Reuters |
The actress at the 2017 Venice Film Festival. Photo: Reuters
In 1993, Cardinale received the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival for her contributions to the arts. In 2002, she was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Berlin Film Festival. In 2/2011, the Los Angeles Times named her one of the 50 most beautiful women in film history.
After her relationship with Franco Cristaldi ended, she had a long-term relationship with director Pasquale Squitieri. They had a daughter together but never married. The couple collaborated on numerous films until his death in 2017.
Phuong Thao (via Guardian, France24)
