Claudia Cardinale: Farewell to a Western Legend and Cinema Icon

By Founder Success Magazine

A Star Passes

On September 23, 2025, the world lost one of cinema’s most legendary figures. Claudia Cardinale passed away at the age of 87 in Nemours, France. Born on April 15, 1938, in La Goulette, Tunisia, to Sicilian parents, she first gained attention as “the most beautiful Italian in Tunis,” a title that opened the doors to Venice Film Festival and launched her extraordinary career.

Throughout her life, Cardinale embodied women who were strong, sensual, and mysterious, leaving an indelible mark on the Italian western genre and beyond.

The Western Legacy

The spaghetti western genre owes much to her. Her portrayal of Angelica Sedara in Once Upon a Time in the West (1968) remains one of the most iconic images of the era.

In the film, she commanded grace, mystery, and determination, becoming far more than a typical female character — she was a living legend, a beacon of emotion in the sweeping landscapes of the wild west.

Yet westerns were just one stage: her talent carried her to work with cinematic giants like Fellini (8½), Visconti (The Leopard), and Herzog, enchanting audiences worldwide with her magnetic presence and resonant voice.

A Life of Strength and Independence

Behind the star was a woman of courage and resilience:

• She faced personal challenges, including a secret pregnancy in her youth and the difficulties of asserting herself in a male-dominated industry.

• Multilingual and initially dubbed for films due to her French, Arabic, and Sicilian languages, she turned this early obstacle into a signature strength.

• Cardinale often declined strict Hollywood contracts to preserve her independence and select projects that resonated with her personally.

She famously said: “I have lived more than 150 lives,” reflecting how each role shaped her while remaining undeniably Claudia.

Legacy and Impact

Claudia Cardinale’s influence endures:

• Tributes poured in from French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian President Sergio Mattarella, and countless cinema figures.

• She received numerous awards, including a Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement.

• Her filmography, spanning over 100 films, continues to captivate audiences across generations and continents, a testament to her enduring charisma.

Through westerns and beyond, Claudia Cardinale reminds us that cinema’s magic comes from the soul we pour into it — and that some legends truly never die.