Post by : Raman

Legendary Italian actress Claudia Cardinale, one of the biggest stars of European cinema in the 1960s, has died at the age of 87. Her agent confirmed that she passed away in Nemours near Paris, surrounded by her children. The date and place of her burial have not yet been decided.

Claudia Cardinale, often called the queen of Italian cinema, worked with some of the most famous directors, including Luchino Visconti and Federico Fellini. She starred opposite top actors like Burt Lancaster, Alain Delon, Peter Sellers, John Wayne, and Henry Fonda. With her unique beauty, husky voice, and powerful screen presence, she became one of the most admired actresses of her time. Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli called her “one of the greatest Italian actresses of all time” and said she represented true Italian grace.

Born on 15 April 1938 in La Goulette, near Tunis, to Sicilian parents, Cardinale’s early life was not easy. At just 16, she won a local beauty contest that took her to the Venice Film Festival, where she immediately caught the attention of directors and producers. Initially, she wanted to become a teacher and had no plans to enter films.

Her personal life was marked by hardship. In her teens, she was a victim of sexual assault, which led to the birth of her son Patrick. To protect her career and avoid scandal, she was forced to hide the truth for years. Later, she revealed the reality and said she chose films only to secure her independence and raise her son.

Despite these challenges, Claudia Cardinale quickly became a star of Italian and international cinema. She worked in films like Fellini’s classic “8½” (1963) and Visconti’s epic “The Leopard” (1963), both considered masterpieces of world cinema. In Hollywood, she gained global fame with “The Pink Panther” (1963) alongside Peter Sellers and appeared in major films like “Circus World” (1964) with John Wayne and Rita Hayworth. Critics described her as the symbol of post-war European glamour.

Claudia Cardinale acted in more than 175 films, refusing cosmetic surgery and staying true to her natural charm. She continued performing into her 80s, including on stage in Naples. In her personal life, she shared a long relationship with Italian director Pasquale Squitieri, whom she called her “only love.” They had a daughter together, Claudia.

She received multiple international awards, including lifetime achievement honors from both the Venice and Berlin Film Festivals. In 2017, she was featured on the official poster of the Cannes Film Festival. She was also a strong advocate for women’s rights and was named UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador in 2000 for her work supporting women and girls.

Speaking about her journey, Cardinale once said: “I’ve had a lot of luck. This job gave me many lives and the chance to use my fame for good causes.”

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