Claudia Cardinale, the acclaimed Italian actress whose captivating beauty and talent defined some of the most celebrated European films of the 20th century, has died, her agent has confirmed. Famed for her roles in films such as The Pink Panther, Once Upon a Time in the West, and The Professionals, Cardinale, 87, was celebrated as one of the greatest actresses of her generation, turning down lucrative roles in major Hollywood productions to protect her independence and maintain a presence in the European market. Often cast as a femme fatale type due to her deep, heavily-accented French-Italian dialect, she worked on over 100 films with some of the biggest names of her era. Tributes poured in for the screen legend, including from French President Emmanuel Macron. Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli hailed her as “one of the greatest Italian actresses of all time,” praising her “exceptional talent.” In 2000, Cardinale was named a UNESCO ambassador for women’s rights, and received a lifetime achievement award at the Berlin Film Festival in 2002. “I’ve lived more than 150 lives, prostitute, saint, romantic, every kind of woman, and that is marvellous to have this opportunity to change yourself,” she said.
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