Claudia Cardinale, icon of Italian cinema, dies aged 87

Claudia Cardinale, who passed away at the age of 87, leaves behind a masterful career and an aura that extends beyond the cinema. Her angelic smile, mischievous eyes and natural charm epitomize Italian beauty. Her acting was a source of inspiration for generations of actresses.

A childhood in the Mediterranean and a promising start

Born in Tunis in 1938 into a Sicilian family, Claudia Cardinale embodies the beauty and complexity of the Mediterranean. After winning a beauty contest almost by accident, she attracted the attention of Italian producers. In Rome, she quickly became a revelation, establishing herself as one of the most singular faces of 1960s cinema.

“I began by chance, and it became my life. – Claudia Cardinale

The explosion of the 1960s

Visconti’sLe Guépard made her an icon. Her duet with Alain Delon and Burt Lancaster goes down in history. The same year, she shone in Fellini’s Eight and a Half, a masterpiece that immortalized her magnetic charisma. These films propelled her onto the international scene and established her as a global star.

“Claudia has that rare blend of strength and fragility that magnetizes the camera.” – Federico Fellini

Hollywood and mythical collaborations

Hollywood opened its doors to Claudia Cardinale, who starred with Charlton Heston, Rock Hudson and David Niven. But it was Sergio Leonewho gave her her most memorable role in Once Upon a Time in the West. She played Jill, an unforgettable heroine, a symbol of rebirth and strength in a masculine world.

“Without Claudia, the film wouldn’t have had the same soul.” – Sergio Leone

A free and committed woman

Claudia Cardinale refused the constraints imposed on actresses of her time. She chose roles for strong, independent, emancipated women. In her life, she was also committed to women’s rights and individual freedom. This dimension gives her image a rare depth and timeless resonance.

“I never wanted to be an object, but a subject.” – Claudia Cardinale

Paris, a city with a heart

Claudia Cardinale had close ties with Paris, where she was regularly celebrated by film libraries and festivals. She represented a strong link between France and Italy. Her films continue to be screened there, reminding us of the extent to which she embodies a vibrant and universal European cinematic heritage. Her death marks the end of an era, but her legacy lives on. Claudia Cardinale was much more than an actress: she was a free woman, a muse and a legend.

Claudia Cardinale’s iconic filmography

• Le Guépard (1963) – Luchino Visconti
• Eight and a half (1963) – Federico Fellini
• Once Upon a Time in the West (1968) – Sergio Leone
• Rocco and His Brothers (1960) – Luchino Visconti
• The Pink Panther (1963) – Blake Edwards
• Sandra (1965) – Luchino Visconti
• Cartouche (1962) – Philippe de Broca
• La ragazza di Bube (1963) – Luigi Comencini
• Les pétroleuses (1961) – Christian-Jaque
• Le Professionnel (1981) – Georges Lautner
• Claretta (1984) – Pasquale Squitieri