At 86, This Classic Hollywood Star Remains Just As Beautiful Without Turning To Plastic Surgery

Sep 05, 2024

Trigger Warning: This article contains mentions of sexual assault that may be troubling for some readers.

Claudia Cardinale is a remarkable actress who has left a lasting impact. As one of the world's iconic actresses, the Italian actress has continued to captivate audiences worldwide. 

Cardinale has earned widespread fame while working in the movie industry for over six decades. She is well known for her attractiveness, which always captures the hearts of viewers on screen. Despite being 86, the Mediterranean beauty has retained her timeless allure. She has continued to go strong in the film business and is still regarded as one of the world's most beautiful women. 

Cardinale was born on April 15, 1938, in La Goulette, Tunisia, and her acting career did not start until she won the "Most Beautiful Italian Girl in Tunisia" in 1957. Per ArmNews365, Cardinale was only 18 then and shared that she was only helping her mother organize an Italian film festival in Tunisia. She recalled:

"I was staring at the females on stage when I realized I wasn't meant to be there. Someone pushed me out on stage, and I was named Tunisia's Most Beautiful Girl." 

After winning the award, which included a trip to the Venice Film Festival, Cardinale received many proposals from producers. Although she turned down most, she signed an 18-year contract with Franco Cristaldi. She got her big break in 1958 in "Goha." She later went on to star in several films, including "Lost Command," "Cartouche," "The Pink Panther," "A Girl in Australia," "Blindfold" and many more. 

For over six decades, Cardinale was a muse to legendary directors such as Werner Herzog, Federico Fellini and Sergio Leone. However, when she started her career as a teenager, her voice, deemed too husky, was often dubbed. Cardinale grew up in Tunisia, then a French protectorate. Her strong French accent was a distraction when she tried to speak Italian. The world finally heard her distinctive husky voice when she starred in the 1963 Oscar-winning masterpiece, "8 1/2". 

Cardinale later became an international sex symbol, as seen in films like "Big Deal on Madonna Street" (1958). Under Luchino Visconti's guidance, she later transformed into a serious actress and starred in "Rocco and His Brothers" (1960), "The Leopards" (1963), "Sandra" (1965), "Conversation Piece" (1974) and many others. 

Despite having a successful career, Cardinale's personal life had its share of hardships. The actress initially wanted to be a teacher, but after winning Most Beautiful Girl in Tunisia, she went into acting. Just as her career was starting, she realized she was pregnant with someone who did not want anything to do with the child. 

According to The Los Angeles Times, Cardinale explained the story behind her teenage pregnancy. She shared with Enzo Biagi in 2017: "A man I didn't know, much older than me, forced me to go up to the car and raped me. … When that man found out I was pregnant, he came back and demanded that I have an abortion," she added.

She gave birth to her son, Patrick, but told people he was her brother until he was 19. 

Cardinale's producer, Cristaldi, who later married her in 1966, sent her to London to conceal the pregnancy. He seized complete control of her life, career and money; however, they got a divorce in 1957.

Cardinale suffered at Cristaldi's hands, where she "practically" felt like an "employee" and a "subordinate." She also disclosed that she felt like a "hostage," which greatly upset her parents. Although she considered Cristaldi a "great producer," she said he's better off "overlooked" on a private level. 

In 1971, Cardinale was called the Italian Brigitte Bardot. However, she differed from her French counterpart because she would never go nude in films. She added:

"I always thought it was more erotic to leave some room for imagination, hinting at things rather than showing everything."

For Cardinale, working in Hollywood was both amazing and demanding. After working in the system for a while, she decided to leave Hollywood and chose to act mostly in European films. Cardinale liked Hollywood but was not satisfied with the system's methods of signing stars. She said: "I don't like the star system. I am a normal person. I like to live in Europe." Although there was a decrease in pay in Europe, the actress stated: "If I have to give up money, I give it up. I don't want to become a stereotype."

Cardinale later married Pasquale Squitieri, an Italian filmmaker, in 1975. The duo remained together, and she remained by his side until he died in 2017. The couple also welcomed one child, Claudia, who is as beautiful as her mother.

Cardinale’s distinctive allure and appeal were central to her widespread fame during Hollywood's golden era. She was renowned for her captivating looks, characterized by a unique blend of Mediterranean and European features, including thick, dark hair, full lips, and intense, expressive eyes.

Her style was sophisticated yet approachable, often featuring classic, elegant attire that complemented her curves. Cardinale’s ability to exude both sensuality and innocence added to her allure, allowing her to embody a wide range of characters, from aristocratic women to fierce, independent heroines. 

In the later years of her career, Cardinale continued to work steadily in film and television, maintaining a presence in the entertainment industry well into her 70s and 80s. In 2022, she appeared in the film “The Island of Forgiveness.” She is still often seen on the red carpet at prestigious events, such as the Cannes and Venice Film Festivals, looking every inch the Hollywood icon. Well into her 80s, the star still exudes the same beauty, charm and charisma of her youth, all without resorting to cosmetic procedures, which she is opposed to. In 2015, she said:

“Today, I’m 77 years old and I’m still working. The most important thing is to stay active. I don’t like all these facelifts and plastic surgery, because you can’t stop time.”

She also said:

“I’ve never done – what you say? – lifting in the face. Things like this. My mother used to say, ‘Wait until you are older, you will always be smiling.’ It’s true. So why would you hide it?”

Cardinale's beauty and talent have made her one of the defining figures of cinema in the 1960s and 1970s, and she remains an enduring icon of that golden era of film.

Are you a fan of Claudia Cardinale? What are some of your favorite films of hers? Let us know, and pass this on to your family, friends and other Claudia Cardinale fans out there!

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