Like many another female Italian film star, Claudia Cardinale's entry into the business was by way of a beauty pageant. She was 17 years old and studying at the Centro Sperimentale in Rome when she entered a beauty contest, which resulted in her getting a succession of small film roles. Her earthy interpretations of Sicilian women got her noticed by Italian producers, and the combination of her beauty, dark, flashing eyes, explosive sexuality and genuine acting talent virtually guaranteed her stardom. After Careless she rose to the front ranks of Italian cinema, and became an international star in Federico Fellini's classic Federico Fellini's 8 1/2 with Marcello Mastroianni. American audiences may best remember her from her starring role in Sergio Leone's Once Upon a Time in the West.
She has 2 children: a son born in 1959 and a daughter. In 1957, she won a beauty contest, the Most Beautiful Italian Girl in Tunis. She won a free trip to Venice and was offered movie roles by producers. Initially she refused all of the roles, but then accepted them. She signed a contract forbidding her to cut her hair, marry or gain weight. Due to this contract, she told everyone that her new born son (out of wedlock) was her baby brother. She did not reveal to the child that he was her son, until he was 19 years old. Measurements: 37C-23-37 (Source: Celebrity Sleuth magazine) Vital statistics in August 1976: 38-24-37. Member of jury at the Cannes Film Festival in 1993