Claudia Cardinale has passed away: a legend of Italian cinema says goodbye to the world

The legendary Italian film actress Claudia Cardinale has passed away

Claudia Cardinale, the legendary actress of Italian cinema of Tunisian descent, died at the age of 87 in her home in Nemours, France. In her last moments, her children were by her side. Cardinale became a symbol of post-war Italian cinema and had a long career in film and theater. Raised in Tunisia in a family of Sicilian descent, she first got acquainted with cinema in 1957 after winning a beauty contest that brought her a trip to the Venice Film Festival.

Her early screen roles required dubbing her voice in Italian, as she studied in a French-speaking school and spoke Sicilian dialect. The early career of the actress was complicated by a secret pregnancy following a violent relationship. Cardinale gained international fame in 1963 after starring in Fellini's '8½' and in 'The Leopard' with Burt Lancaster. Her popularity paved the way to Hollywood, where she starred in the comedy 'The Pink Panther' and Sergio Leone's western 'Once Upon a Time in the West' (1968).

Life and creative path in the world of cinema

Cardinale's career faced difficulties in the 1970s, yet she continued to work actively with European directors. She is known for her independence and boldness, constantly smoking and breaking protocols. Claudia Cardinale spent most of her life in France, befriended presidents François Mitterrand and Jacques Chirac, performed in theatrical productions, and acted in films in various European languages until 2020. She received a lifetime achievement award at the Berlin Film Festival in 2002.

In her own words: 'I have lived over 150 lives, been a prostitute, a saint, a romantic, a woman of every type, and it is wonderful to have this opportunity to change myself.'

News of Claudia Cardinale's death saddened fans of Italian cinema. The actress was renowned for her talent and sense of freedom on screen, making her one of the most influential actresses of her time. Her career is a testament to successful work in both European and Hollywood cinema.