Claudia Cardinale was an Italian actress. In 1957, she was crowned the winner of the “Most Beautiful Italian Girl in Tunisia” contest.
In February 2011, the Los Angeles Times Magazine listed Cardinale as one of the 50 most beautiful women in the history of movies.
Early Life & Educational Details
Her real name was Claude Joséphine Rose “Claudia” Cardinale. She was born on 15 April 1938 in Tunis, Tunisia. At home, she spoke only French but also knew her parents’ Sicilian language.
She didn’t learn Italian until she began acting in Italian movies. She went to the Saint-Joseph-de-l’Apparition School in Carthage and later studied at the Paul Cambon School, planning to become a teacher.
As a teenager, she was seen as quiet, unusual, and spirited. Like many girls of her age, she admired Brigitte Bardot, who became famous with the 1956 film And God Created Woman.
Age & Death Reason
She passed away at 87 on 23 September 2025 at her home in Nemours, France.
After her death, many paid tribute to her, including Italy’s President Sergio Mattarella, who called her “an extraordinary artist and an unforgettable star of Italian and international cinema, loved by audiences and respected by top directors
Husband, Children & Parents
In 1958, she met Italian film producer Franco Cristaldi. They had a wedding celebration but never officially married, and over time, they grew apart.
She was in a relationship with Italian director Pasquale Squitieri for 42 years, from 1975 until his death on 18 February 2017 at the age of 78. She has two children, Claudia Squitieri and Patrick Cristaldi.
She was born to her Italian parents. Her father’s name was Mr. Francesco Cardinale, and her mother’s name was Mrs. Yolande Greco. She had a younger sister named Blanche.
Net Worth, Ethnicity & Religion
According to the reports, her net worth was approximately $10 million from all of her income sources as of 2025 (source). She had Italian Ethnicity.
She spoke French, Italian, English, and Spanish fluently. Her religious faith was in the Catholic religion.
Career Details
Her first film experience was acting with her classmates in a short film by French director René Vautier, Anneaux d’or, which was shown at the Berlin Film Festival.
Her big break came in 1957 when she won the “Most Beautiful Italian Girl in Tunisia” contest during Italian Cinema Week in Tunis.
In 1960, she starred with Marcello Mastroianni in Mauro Bolognini’s award-winning film Il bell’Antonio.
She became a famous actress in Italy, appearing in movies like Rocco and His Brothers (1960), Girl with a Suitcase (1961), Cartouche (1962), The Leopard (1963), and Fellini’s 8½ (1963).
She later acted in Hollywood movies such as Blindfold (1966), Lost Command (1966), The Professionals (1966), and Don’t Make Waves (1967) alongside Tony Curtis.
In 2010, she won the Best Actress Award at the 47th Antalya “Golden Orange” International Film Festival for her role as an elderly Italian woman who welcomes a young Turkish exchange student in Signora Enrica.
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