Both an earthy sex siren and an elegantly beautiful, respected international leading lady of the 1950s and 60s, who got her start in films after winning a beauty contest as "The Most Beautiful Italian Girl in Tunisia" in 1957. Cardinale was anointed heir apparent as reigning sex-goddess by Brigitte Bardot who said "I already know who's destined to take my place. There can be only one, and one alone. After BB comes CC, no?"

Several of her most admired films have been helmed by some of Italy's greatest directors, including Luchino Visconti ("Rocco and His Brothers" 1960, "The Leopard" 1963, "Sandra" 1965), Federico Fellini ("8 1/2" 1963) and Sergio Leone ("Once Upon a Time in the West" 1969). She also starred in the American films "The Pink Panther" (1964) and "The Professionals" (1966). Formerly married to producer Franco Cristaldi, she is now married to director Pascale Squitieri.