Claudia Cardinale, Legendary Actress of The Leopard, Passes Away at 87

Claudia Cardinale, one of the biggest names of Italian cinema, has died at 87. Her agent Laurent Savry told AFP that she passed away in Nemours, France, with her children by her side. “She leaves us the legacy of a free and inspired woman both as a woman and as an artiste,” he said.

Cardinale was born in Tunis in 1938 to Sicilian parents. At 16, she won a local beauty contest that led her to the Venice Film Festival, where film producers quickly noticed her. At the time, she had wanted to become a teacher, but her father encouraged her to try acting instead.

Her path into movies was not without struggle. As a teenager, she was raped and later gave birth to a son in secret in London.

For years she introduced him as her younger brother. She also faced issues with her accent, as she grew up speaking French, Arabic, and Sicilian. Early in her career, other actors often dubbed her voice in Italian films.

Despite these challenges, she became one of the most recognizable faces of 1960s cinema. She rose to international fame with Federico Fellini’s 8 1/2 and Luchino Visconti’s The Leopard in 1963. About working with both directors, she once joked, “Visconti wanted me brunette with long hair. Fellini wanted me blonde.”

Cardinale went on to appear in Hollywood productions, including Blake Edwards’ The Pink Panther and Sergio Leone’s western Once Upon a Time in the West. She acted alongside stars such as Henry Fonda and Charles Bronson. Critics praised her style and charisma, calling her “the embodiment of postwar European glamour.”

She enjoyed her fame but remained down-to-earth. Reflecting on her work, she remembered a remark from actor David Niven during the filming of The Pink Panther: “Claudia, along with spaghetti, you’re Italy’s greatest invention.”

In her personal life, Cardinale was linked to producer Franco Cristaldi before starting a decades-long relationship with director Pasquale Squitieri, with whom she had a daughter. She also had a son, Patrick, from her teenage years.

Even later in life, she continued acting. She appeared in the Swiss TV series Bulle in 2020. Beyond cinema, she was active in social causes. She supported feminist issues, worked with UNESCO as a goodwill ambassador, and spoke proudly of her Italian identity even while living in Paris. She received several awards over her career, including a Golden Lion in Venice and a Golden Bear in Berlin.

In interviews, Cardinale often said she valued privacy and mystery in her acting. “I never felt scandal and confession were necessary to be an actress. I’ve never revealed myself or even my body in films. Mystery is very important,” she explained.

In another interview, she described her strength as key to her career: “If you want to practise this craft, you have to have inner strength. Otherwise, you’ll lose your idea of who you are. Every film I make entails becoming a different woman. And in front of a camera, no less! But when I’m finished, I’m me again.”

Claudia Cardinale leaves behind a legacy of unforgettable films and a reputation as one of Italy’s most admired actresses. Her career spanned more than six decades, and she remained a symbol of both elegance and resilience.

Cardinale was more than a film star, she was someone who broke barriers and kept her dignity in an industry that was not always kind to women. Her strength and talent made her stand out in every role she played. What do you think about Claudia Cardinale’s legacy? Share your thoughts in the comments.