Throughout her more than 60-year career, the mysterious Claudia Cardinale captivated audiences with her intriguing personality.
Cardinale chose the often-traumatized path to stardom rather than aiming to become one of the greatest performers of the golden age.
She claims that “cinema saved my life,” and at 86, she has outlived the now-deceased Hollywood heavyweights she used to share the screen with.
Continue reading to find out more about this famous person’s recent endeavors!
International and Italian cinema have been greatly influenced by the well-known actress Claudia Cardinale. Throughout her career, she was able to portray a variety of complex and distinctive roles due to her talent, beauty, and adaptability.
When she was found at the age of 18, the Italian actress, who was born in Tunisia, was pursuing a degree in teaching. When the glossy-haired, French-speaking young lady was selected from the throng and crowned the Most Beautiful Italian Girl in Tunisia, she was enthralled by the spectacle of an Italian film festival.
While in Tunisia, I assisted my mother and representatives of the Italian government in planning an Italian film festival. I wasn’t supposed to be on stage, but I couldn’t help but stare at the women. “I was crowned the Most Beautiful Girl in Tunisia after someone pushed me out on stage,” she remarked.
A trip to the Venice film festival, an ominous experience, was the reward for the young woman’s many approaches from producers.
In an interview, Cardinale stated that he originally declined the offers because “it’s like a man.” When he comes to you, if you say yes, he will leave. He will want you for a very long time if you don’t say no.
She turned down the majority of the offers because she was expecting a child.
She was unable to turn down one producer, though. A well-known Italian producer who worked on feature films from the 1950s to the 1990s, Franco Cristaldi, signed Cardinale to an 18-year contract when he was still a teenager.
In addition, there was a personal contract; Cristaldi became the only authority over her social life, weight, haircut, and film assignments when they were married, transforming her into an Italian Brigitte Bardot.
Cristaldi demanded that no one know she was pregnant.
Her son turned out to be her younger brother.
Cristaldi directed Cardinale in a few minor roles in Italian films, and as a result of her performances, she was dubbed “Italy’s sweetheart.”
When she was cast in a significant role in the romantic comedy Three Strangers in Rome in 1958, it was her big break. Carddinale experienced suicidal thoughts and depression seven months into her pregnancy, which she kept a secret at Cristaldi’s insistence. She begged her management to terminate the arrangement.
Instead, Cristaldi moved her to London, away from the press, on the guise that she was studying English for a part.
She asserted that Patrick, her child born in 1975, was the child of an unidentified man who sexually assaulted her. Patrick was not identified as her son until he turned 19.
Cardinale revealed the terrible news of her pregnancy to Italian journalist Enzo Biagi in 2017. She said, “A man I didn’t know, much older than me, forced me to go up to car and raped me.” Even if the violence was awful, the most lovely thing is that it gave birth to my amazing Patrick. In actuality, I chose not to get an abortion despite the fact that it was an extremely difficult circumstance for a single mother.
She said, “When he discovered I was pregnant, he came back and demanded that I get an abortion. I never for a moment thought about letting go of my creature!
“With him I was practically an employee, a subordinate who was paid a month for the four films I made a year: I didn’t even call him by name, but by surname,” Cardinale said of Cristaldi, who controlled her life. I felt confined, and my parents were furious.I wasn’t in love, therefore he was with me. In conclusion, Cristaldi was a great producer, but from a personal perspective, it would be better to overlook it.
Despite their tumultuous relationship, she left Cristaldi in 1975, although it had no negative impact on her career.
The actress, who made her acting debut with Omar Sharif in the French-Tunisian film Goha, quickly rose to prominence in Italy. She starred in Rocco and his Brothers in 1960. She costarred with Burt Lancaster in The Leopard and Marcello Mastroianni in the Oscar-winning film 8½ in 1963. She played an object of desire that looked unattainable in both of his films, which award-winning filmmaker Martin Scorsese lists as two of his top 12 favorites.
“Brigitte Bardot, an Italian”
After costarring in The Pink Panther with David Nivens, she became well-known in Hollywood. Later, she starred in Circus World (1964) alongside Rita Hayworth and John Wayne.
Cardinale was praised for her portrayal of a prostitute in the 1968 U.S.-Italian film Once Upon a Time in the West, in which she costarred with cinematic stars Charles Bronson, Jason Robards, and Henry Fonda.
On the other hand, spectators enjoyed watching the Italian Brigitte Bardot, also known as Cardinale, with the actual Bardot, who was both her friend and rival, in the 1971 film The Legend of Frenchie King. In what ways was she different from Bardot? She mentioned that she has never been portrayed nude in a motion picture. “I always thought it was more erotic to leave some room to imagination, hinting at things rather than showing everything,” she said.
Working in Hollywood was both lucrative and challenging. In an interview with Life, Cardinale declared her desire to escape the male-dominated Hollywood system, referring to herself as “the most admired international film star since Sophia Loren.” “If I have to give up the money, I give it up,” Cardinale said, referring to the lower wages in Europe. I do not wish to come across as corny.
“Time cannot be stopped.”
Cardinale said she was happy to be out of the sexualized spotlight, even though her career was slowing down.
I wanted to travel the world when I was younger. And I succeeded. I never changed how I looked or went nudist. That really bothers me. Since time cannot be stopped, I would want to remain myself,” Cardinale remarked.
In 1975, Cardinale wed Italian filmmaker Pasquale Squitieri, with whom he remained until his passing in 2017. Claudia is the couple’s only child.
Cardinale responded to reports in 2022 that she had been brought to the hospital against her will. She claimed to be in good health and to be living close to her family in France. And happy summer to all of you.
As the goodwill ambassador for the protection of women’s rights, Cardinale maintains an active contact with UNESCO.
Claudia Cardinale enjoyed a successful life, but it was also traumatic. We hope she stays healthy, and it’s wonderful to see her story inspiring other women. Which Cardinale movie is your favorite?
