Claudia Cardinale, Italian actress from ‘8½’ and ‘The Leopard,’ has passed away at 87.

Claudia Cardinale Passes Away at 87

ROME – Italian actress Claudia Cardinale, known for her iconic roles in European cinema during the 1960s and 1970s, has died in France at the age of 87, as reported by AFP news agency.

French President Emmanuel Macron remembered her for her exceptional talent and beauty, noting her lasting impact on European films. “We will always keep this Italian and global star in our minds, forever in our cinema,” he stated.

Cardinale, who appeared in over 100 films and television shows, was particularly celebrated for her portrayal in Federico Fellini’s renowned film “8½,” where she captured the essence of youthful innocence. Her role as Angelica Sedara in Luchino Visconti’s acclaimed adaptation of the historical novel “The Leopard” also highlighted her remarkable talent.

She passed away in Nemours, France, with her children by her side, according to her agent, Laurent Savley. Savley did not respond to requests for further comments from the Associated Press.

Inevitably, Italian Minister of Culture Alessandro Zifi expressed his condolences to Cardinale’s family, praising her beauty and “exceptional talent,” which greatly influenced significant Italian films. “The death of Claudia Cardinale has taken away one of the greatest Italian actresses of all time,” he remarked in a statement.

Cardinale entered the film industry at just 17 after winning a beauty contest in Tunisia, where her Sicilian emigrant parents had settled. Interestingly, before her foray into the film world, she had aspirations of becoming a teacher.

Reflecting on her unexpected film career, she once shared, “The fact that I’m making a film is just an accident.” During an acceptance speech for a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Berlin Film Festival in 2002, she humorously recounted how she initially resisted offers to act but was persuaded after six months.

Although her career was partly shaped by comparisons to Brigitte Bardot, Cardinale remained committed to European cinema, even as she ventured into Hollywood. She collaborated with notable directors and starred alongside Rock Hudson in the comedy-thriller “Blindfold” in 1965. Despite her reservations about fully embracing Hollywood, she found success in various projects, including the 1966 film “The Professionals.”

Cardinale’s numerous accolades included the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the Venice Film Festival—an honor she received nearly 40 years after her screen debut. In 2000, she was named a Goodwill Ambassador for UNESCO, advocating for women’s rights.