We are very sad to see the passing of Claudia Cardinale, an iconic Italian star of Hollywood, who embodied different cultures. She died in Nemours, a quiet town in Seine-et-Marne in France. Born, Claude Joséphine Rose "Claudia" Cardinale (April 15, 1938 – September 23, 2025) she was an iconic Italian actress and one of the last surviving stars from the Golden Age of Hollywood. Born in La Goulette, Tunisia, she won the "Most Beautiful Italian Girl in Tunisia" competition in 1957, which led to film contracts thanks to producer Franco Cristaldi, who later became her husband. Cardinale made her film debut in *Goha* (1958) and quickly rose to fame in notable Italian films such as *Rocco and His Brothers* (1960), *The Leopard* (1963), and Fellini's *8½* (1963). She transitioned to Hollywood with roles in *The Pink Panther* (1963) and *Once Upon a Time in the West* (1968), gaining acclaim for her performances. After feeling disillusioned with Hollywood, she returned to Italian and French cinema, earning the David di Donatello Award for Best Actress for films like *The Day of the Owl* (1968) and *Claretta* (1984). In her later career, Cardinale was a strong advocate for women's rights and served as a UNESCO goodwill ambassador. In 2011, she was named one of the 50 most beautiful women in film history by *Los Angeles Times Magazine*.
Claudia Cardinale, who passed away this week at the age of 89, was one of the few Italian actresses to achieve global stardom, alongside Gina Lollobrigida and Sophia Loren. A sex symbol with a girl-next-door appeal, she rose to fame in the 1960s and appeared in more than 150 films, including the Oscar-winning “8½” and “The Leopard.” While Lollobrigida and Loren represented the beauty of Italy, Cardinale embodied the allure of the Mediterranean. Born in Tunisia with Sicilian heritage, she had a prolific film career in Italy and also starred in several Hollywood films, including Blake Edwards's classic comedy “The Pink Panther.” Over her six-decade career in Europe, Ms. Cardinale left a lasting impact on the film industry with her remarkable talent and charm.
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