Claudia Cardinale’s rise to stardom hid a painful secret: she was pregnant after a violent assault, and under producer Franco Cristaldi—who became her controlling husband—her son was publicly passed off as her brother. Despite the turmoil, Cardinale’s career soared with roles in 8½, The Leopard, The Pink Panther, and Once Upon a Time in the West. Unlike many contemporaries, she refused to conform to Hollywood’s objectification, insisting on dignity and mystery in her performances.
