Claudia Cardinale, ‘Once Upon a Time in the West’ Star, Dies at 87
The film world mourns the loss of Claudia Cardinale, the Italian screen legend whose career spanned more than six decades and whose performance in Sergio Leone’s Once Upon a Time in the West remains iconic. She passed away on 23 September 2025 in Nemours, France, surrounded by her children, at the age of 87.
Early Life and Rise to Fame
Born Claude Joséphine Rose Cardinale on 15 April 1938 in La Goulette, near Tunis (then part of French Tunisia), Cardinale was the daughter of Sicilian parents. She spoke French and Sicilian, and only learned Italian later—her accent was such that in early Italian films her voice was sometimes dubbed.
Her entry into cinema was somewhat accidental. At age 17 in 1957, she won a contest titled “Most Beautiful Italian Girl in Tunisia,” which awarded her a trip to the Venice Film Festival. That chance led to film offers and eventually a contract with the Italian film industry.
She made her film debut in Goha (1958) and gradually built her reputation in Italian cinema. A breakthrough came in the early 1960s with roles in Rocco and His Brothers (1960) under Luchino Visconti, and more significantly her appearances in 8½ (Fellini, 1963) and The Leopard (Visconti, 1963).
Once Upon a Time in the West and International Stardom
In 1968, Cardinale starred as Jill McBain in Sergio Leone’s epic spaghetti western Once Upon a Time in the West. Her performance there cemented her status as an international star, blending strength, vulnerability, and beauty.
While she took roles in Hollywood and English-language projects (e.g. The Pink Panther, The Professionals), she maintained her primary identity as a European actress.
Over her career, Cardinale appeared in over 100 films and television productions. She became known for playing complex, sensual, strong-willed women, and was admired for her expressive eyes, her presence on screen, and her refusal to be typecast.
Challenges, Personal Life & Later Years
Cardinale’s life was not without difficulties. She bore a secret pregnancy as a teenager following an abusive relationship—she later revealed she gave birth to a son, Patrick (born 1958), who was initially raised by her family and publicly presented as a younger brother.
In 1966, she married producer Franco Cristaldi, though their union ended in 1975. From 1975 onward, she lived with director Pasquale Squitieri until his death, and they had a daughter, also named Claudia.
In later years, while she acted less frequently, she remained an admired figure in cinema. She received numerous lifetime achievement honors—such as the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at Venice—and served in roles promoting culture and women’s rights.
At the time of her passing, she was living in Nemours, France, and had been surrounded by her children in her final moments. The cause of death has not been specified; given her age, natural causes are presumed.
Legacy & Tributes
Claudia Cardinale’s death has prompted tributes from around the world. French President Emmanuel Macron said that France will “always carry this Italian and global star in our hearts, in the eternity of cinema.” AP News+1 The Italian Minister of Culture described her as among the greatest Italian actresses ever. Reuters+1
Her legacy lies not only in her memorable screen roles but also in her image as a graceful, independent woman who navigated the demands of celebrity while maintaining dignity and artistic integrity. She remains an emblem of the golden era of European cinema.
