The legendary actress Claudia Cardinale, an icon of European cinema for more than six decades, passed away on September 23, 2025, in Nemours, France. The news of her death, which marks the end of a golden era of cinema, was confirmed by her family. Here’s everything we know so far.
How did Claudia Cardinale die?
Although her passing has been officially confirmed, the exact cause of her death has not yet been disclosed. However, considering her advanced age, it is presumed that she died of natural causes. Claudia Cardinale passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by the love of her family. Her final years were spent quietly, focused on family and personal projects, always staying true to her elegant and reserved style.
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How old was Claudia Cardinale?
Claudia Cardinale was 87 years old at the time of her passing.
What was Claudia Cardinale’s net worth?
Over her extensive career, Cardinale amassed an estimated net worth of $10 million. This fortune came from decades of work in film, television, and theater, as well as major contracts with European studios. One of the most notable was a seven-year deal with a prestigious Italian studio, which helped propel her to stardom during the peak of her career.
Unlike many actresses of her generation, Cardinale chose to remain primarily in Europe, even when Hollywood extended several invitations. That decision didn’t slow her success—it solidified her status as a star on the European continent.
Who was Claudia Cardinale?
Claudia Cardinale was not only a talented actress but also a cultural symbol. She was born on April 15, 1938, in La Goulette, a coastal district of Tunisia that she always held close to her heart, despite having become an international figure. The daughter of a Sicilian family settled in Tunisia, she grew up in a multicultural environment that shaped her artistic vision.
Her path to fame began almost by chance, after being crowned “The Most Beautiful Italian in Tunisia” in 1957, a title that led her to the Venice Film Festival. There, she caught the attention of producer Franco Cristaldi, a key figure in her early career.
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Cardinale went on to build an impressive career, appearing in more than 150 productions. In 1963, she starred in two landmark films: 8½ by Federico Fellini and The Leopard by Luchino Visconti. Later, she worked on international productions such as The Pink Panther and Once Upon a Time in the West by Sergio Leone, expanding her legacy across borders.
But her life was not without challenges. Her relationship with Cristaldi ended, and although she faced difficult times, she never abandoned her convictions. She became a strong voice for women’s rights, collaborating with various organizations, and since the year 2000, she served as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador.
In recognition of her contribution to cinema, she was honored with the Honorary Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival in 2002. Though she partially stepped back from the spotlight, she continued to take part in select projects. Among them were the Swiss series Bulle (2020) and the Netflix film Rogue City. In 2022, she appeared in the Tunisian production L’Île du pardon, marking an emotional return to her roots. In 2023, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York dedicated a retrospective to her work, reaffirming her place in film history.
