Claudia Cardinale

Claude Joséphine Rose Cardinale was born to Yolande Greco and Francesco Cardinale. Her mother was born in Tunisia of Sicilian parents and her father was born was born in Sicily. She had younger sister Blanche and two brothers. While never officially married, Claudia had a "marriage party" with producer Franco Cristaldi in 1958. They drifted apart and he later married Zeudi Araya (actress and producer). Claudia then lived with Pasquale Squitieri, a director, for 42 years (from 1975 until he died at age 78 in 2017. Claudia had two children, Patrick - born when she was 19 and adopted by Cristaldi - and Claudia, who she had with Squitieri. An internationally known actress for the majority of her life, Claudia's career began after she won a beauty contest. She became the darling of Italian producers and directors and her smoldering beauty led to her international success. Known as a sex symbol, she never appeared nude, of even semi-clothed, preferring mystery versus exposing herself. She has been quoted as saying "If you want to practice this craft, you have to have inner strength. Otherwise, you'll lose your idea of who you are. Every film I make entails becoming a different woman. And in front of a camera, no less! But when I'm finished, I'm me again." A political liberal and women's advocate, Claudia has always succeeded in being herself.