One of the most celebrated actresses of European cinema’s golden age, Claudia Cardinale, has died at the age of 87.

According to a message sent to Agence France-Presse from her agent Laurent Savry, she passed away on Tuesday in Nemours near Paris, surrounded by her children.

“She leaves us the legacy of a free and inspired woman both as a woman and as an artiste,” he said.

Born Claude Joséphine Rose Cardinale on April 15, 1938, in La Goulette, a suburb of Tunis, Ms Cardinale’s path to global recognition began unexpectedly in 1957 when she won a beauty contest that took her to the Venice Film Festival.

She initially had no interest in acting and dreamed of becoming a teacher. However, the recognition she got led to her first film roles in Italy. By the early 1960s, she was working with some of the most acclaimed filmmakers of the time.

She appeared in Federico Fellini’s 8½, Luchino Visconti’s The Leopard, and Sergio Leone’s Once Upon a Time in the West.

The actress who won the title of Most Beautiful Italian Girl in Tunisia in 1957 became an actress admired for her depth and versatility, thanks to her beauty, husky voice, and commanding performances.

Later, faced with hardship as a teenager, she was the victim of sexual violence that led to a secret pregnancy.

She gave birth to a son, Patrick, whom she initially introduced publicly as her younger brother to protect her career. She later spoke openly about her experience and the strength it demanded of her as a young woman.

Over the years, she appeared in more than 100 films, working alongside legends such as Marcello Mastroianni, Burt Lancaster, and Henry Fonda.

Beyond her acting, she was also known for her advocacy.

In 2000, she was appointed a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, using her voice to champion women’s rights and defend vulnerable communities.

She had two children, Patrick and Claudia, whom she had from her long-term relationship with Italian director Pasquale Squitieri, who died in 2017.