Claudia Cardinale’s six-decade career has made her a legendary figure in Italian and international cinema. Born in Tunisia, she was discovered at 18 after winning a beauty contest, launching her into film.

Behind her glamorous image lay personal hardship. At 18, she became pregnant after a violent assault and kept her son’s identity secret for years. Her early career and personal life were tightly controlled by producer and husband Franco Cristaldi, leaving her little autonomy. She battled depression before leaving him in 1975.

Cardinale starred in acclaimed films like Rocco and His Brothers, 8½, The Leopard, The Pink Panther, and Once Upon a Time in the West, known for her blend of strength, elegance, and depth. Unlike contemporaries such as Brigitte Bardot, she refused to appear nude, valuing suggestion over exposure.

She later found lasting companionship with director Pasquale Squitieri and had two children. Now 86, she lives in France, continues advocacy as a UNESCO goodwill ambassador for women’s rights, and remains a symbol of resilience, artistry, and independence.