Claudia Cardinale dies at the age of 87

Claudia Cardinale, one of the most symbolic actresses of European cinema’s golden age, passed away on Tuesday evening at the age of 87. Her agent, Laurent Savry, confirmed that she died peacefully in her longtime home in Nemours, near Paris, surrounded by her children.

Born in Tunis in 1938 to Sicilian parents, Cardinale became a luminous presence on screen and a defining face of the 1960s. Her career was marked by unforgettable roles in some of cinema’s greatest masterpieces, including Luchino Visconti’s The Leopard, Federico Fellini’s 8½, and Sergio Leone’s Once Upon a Time in the West. She also worked with international directors such as Henri Verneuil and Richard Brooks, expanding her influence far beyond Italy.

Over the span of more than six decades, Cardinale shared the screen with legends including Burt Lancaster, Alain Delon, Marcello Mastroianni, and Charles Bronson. While she made her mark in Hollywood, she remained most deeply connected to the European cinema that defined her artistry and secured her legacy.

“She leaves us the legacy of a free and inspired woman, both in her artistic career and in life,” said Savry.

Source: La Voce di New York, Cristiano Palladino

Adapted by: Kate Netzer