Italian film star Claudia Cardinale dies at the age of 87

Italian actress Claudia Cardinale, who is known for her work in European films in the 1960s and '70s, died near Paris on Tuesday at the age of 87, her agent told Agence France Presse (AFP).

The famous actress appeared in more than 100 films and made-for-television productions and was most noted for her role in Federico Fellini’s “8½." She also starred in films like Luchino Visconti’s “The Leopard,” and Sergio Leone’s 1968 spaghetti western, “Once Upon a Time in the West."

Cardinale's agent Laurent Savry said the Italian woman, who was born in Tunisia, was surrounded by her children when she died.

"She leaves us the legacy of a free and inspired woman both as a woman and as an artiste," Savry told the outlet.

Cardinale's rise to fame was unexpected. The actress began her career at 17-years-old after winning a beauty contest in Tunisia, the Associated Press reported. The beauty contest took her to the Venice Film Festival where she attracted attention from professionals in the movie industry. 

“The fact I’m making movies is just an accident,” Cardinale said while accepting a lifetime achievement award at the Berlin Film Festival in 2002. “When they asked me ‘do you want to be in the movies?’ I said no and they insisted for six months.”

The actress also crossed into Hollywood films with roles in Rock Hudson's 1965 comedy "Blindfold," and Tony Curtis' "Don't Make Waves," in 1967. She also played Princess Dahla in the 1964 "Pink Panther."

She is survived by two children: Patrick Cristaldi and Claudia Squitieri.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.