Claudia Cardinale, the iconic star of Italian cinema celebrated for her captivating beauty and powerful performances, has died at the age of 87.Her agency confirmed the actress passed away Tuesday, September 23, at her home in Nemours, Seine-et-Marne, France.
cardinale rose to international fame through a prolific career spanning decades, becoming a muse for directors like Federico Fellini, Luchino Visconti, and Sergio Leone. Her roles in films such as 8½, The Leopard, and Once Upon a Time in the West cemented her status as a cinematic icon, embodying a uniquely Mediterranean sensuality and strength.
born on April 15, 1938, in Tunis to Sicilian immigrant parents during the French protectorate, Cardinale initially envisioned a career in education. described as a spirited and independent young woman, she excelled in sports and resisted conventional notions of glamour. However, her life took an unexpected turn at age 14 when she appeared, veiled alongside her sister and classmates, in René Vautier’s documentary short film, Gold Rings.
That early film experience led to a small role in Jacques Baratier’s Goha the Simple, where she caught the eye of Omar Sharif. A turning point came at 18 when she was crowned “Plus belle Italienne in Tunis,” earning a trip to the Venice Film Festival – a venue she would frequently return to throughout her career,though initially overwhelmed by the attention and offers that followed.
