At age 86...She was a stunning beauty back in her hey-day
Actress Claudia Cardinale , a legend of European cinema, died on September 23 at the age of 87 at her home in Nemours, south of Paris, surrounded by her two children.
The unforgettable star of The Leopard (1963) and muse of 8½ (1963) passed away leaving behind more than six decades in film , a career marked by success, personal struggles, and an uncomfortable truth:

Born in Tunisia on April 15, 1938, into a family of Sicilian immigrants , she grew up speaking French, Arabic, and her parents' Sicilian dialect.
She arrived in Italy in the late 1950s and quickly became one of the great beauties of European cinema.
Her natural magnetism captivated directors such as Visconti, Fellini, and Leone
Throughout her career she accumulated more than a hundred films and received some of the most prestigious awards in cinema: the honorary Golden Lion in Venice (1993), the Golden Bear
Even in maturity she maintained her link with the big screen, being chosen as the image of the 70th anniversary of the Cannes Film Festival
The origin: from a competition to a forced decision
Her first major success came in 1957 , when at just 19 years old she won a beauty contest
The prize was a trip to the Venice Film Festival , where she attracted the attention of producers and talent scouts
However, Cardinale rejected their offers : at that time she didn't want to pursue a career in film and dreamed of a life away from the spotlight.
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But her fate changed tragically that same year. A victim of rape, she became pregnant .
Faced with pressure from those urging her to have an abortion, she decided to continue the pregnancy despite the strict moral codes of the time.
She sought help from Franco Cristaldi , a renowned producer who had noticed her in Venice.
He facilitated her travel to London, where she gave birth on October 19, 1958, to her son Patrick,
The reason: to prevent this illegitimate child from damaging either her reputation or her burgeoning career.
To be able to give birth abroad and support her son,
The producer thus achieved his goal, binding her to the film industry with an agreement that forbade her from gaining weight, getting married, or even cutting her hair
The control was so strict that it shaped her early years as an actress, though it also marked the beginning of her rise.
Many years later, the actress herself would acknowledge: "
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After years of protection, Cardinale accepted Cristaldi's marriage proposal
They remained together until 1975, when she began a relationship with director
Although she was always discreet about her private life, she maintained close friendships with her co-stars, such as Alain Delon and Jean-Paul Belmondo , and received declarations of love from Marcello Mastroianni and Marlon Brando .
The films that made her immortal

Her definitive leap to fame came with The Leopard (1963), directed by Luchino Visconti.
Her role as Angelica Sedara, and the famous waltz with Burt Lancaster and Alain Delon, made her a global icon .
The film, released on March 28, 1963, won the Palme d'Or at Cannes and cemented her star status.
That same year she filmed 8½ (1963) with Federico Fellini , where audiences heard her original voice on screen for the first time .
She played the idealized love interest of the protagonist, a Marcello Mastroianni at the height of his powers.
The film won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and became an absolute classic of cinema.
She had already distinguished herself in Visconti's Rocco and His Brothers (1960), a social drama that showcased her versatility and cemented her status as one of the key actresses in Italian cinema.
Later, in 1968, she starred in one of the most memorable Westerns of all time: Sergio Leone 's Once Upon a Time in the West , in which she played Jill McBain, the central character in an epic story about the arrival of the railroad to the West.

Her filmography, comprising over 130 titles , also includes hits such as Big Deal on Madonna Street (1959), her Italian debut; the comedy The Pink Panther (1963) alongside Peter Sellers ; the challenging filming of Werner Herzog's Fitzcarraldo (1982) in the heart of the Amazon rainforest; and the award-winning Mussolini's Mistress (1984), for which she received the Best Actress award at the Venice Film Festival.
She also made her mark in Spain with The Fabulous World of the Circus (1964), filmed in Madrid and Barcelona with John Wayne and Rita Hayworth, and, many years later, with Fernando Trueba's The Artist and the Model (2012), one of her last appearances on the big screen.
The View Canceled, Erika Kirk and Megyn Kelly Take the Helm of The Charlie Kirk Show!

ABC’s Shocking Shake-Up: The End of The View and the Rise of The Charlie Kirk Show
In a move that has sent ripples through the television industry, ABC has officially announced the cancellation of its long-running daytime talk show,
The View, to make way for a new program: The Charlie Kirk Show, hosted by Erika Kirk and Megyn Kelly.
This decision, described by insiders as final and irreversible, has taken both fans and industry experts by surprise.
With this bold and controversial shift, ABC is not just changing its programming; it is redefining the landscape of daytime television.

The End of an Era
The View has been a staple of daytime TV since its debut in 1997, known for its dynamic discussions on current events, politics, and social issues from a diverse panel of women.
Over the years, it has featured a variety of hosts, each bringing their unique perspectives and flair to the show.
However, as viewership patterns shifted and audience preferences evolved, the show faced increasing challenges in maintaining its relevance in a rapidly changing media landscape.
ABC executives had been closely monitoring ratings and audience engagement, and the decision to cancel The View was not made lightly.
Insiders revealed that despite its legacy, the show struggled to attract younger viewers, who increasingly turned to digital platforms and social media for their news and entertainment.
As a result, ABC decided to take a bold step towards revitalizing its daytime lineup.
Introducing The Charlie Kirk Show
Enter The Charlie Kirk Show, a program that promises to shake up the daytime talk format.
Hosted by Erika Kirk, a rising star in conservative media, and the seasoned journalist Megyn Kelly, the new show is poised to attract a different demographic and engage viewers with a fresh perspective on current events.
Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative commentator and founder of Turning Point USA, has been a polarizing figure in American politics, known for his outspoken views and unapologetic style.
The combination of Erika Kirk’s youthful energy and Megyn Kelly’s extensive experience in journalism creates a dynamic duo that ABC hopes will resonate with audiences.
The show aims to tackle controversial topics head-on, offering a platform for spirited debate and discussion. With a focus on conservative viewpoints,
The Charlie Kirk Show seeks to fill a gap in daytime programming that many believe has been overlooked.
The Reaction from Insiders
The announcement of this programming shift has sparked a flurry of reactions from industry insiders and fans alike.
Many are calling it the boldest move in network TV history, while others express concern over the implications for the future of daytime television.
Some insiders believe that ABC’s decision reflects a broader trend in media, where networks are increasingly catering to specific audience segments rather than striving for a one-size-fits-all approach.
Critics of the decision argue that replacing The View with a show hosted by Kirk and Kelly could alienate a significant segment of the audience that has long supported the original program.
They worry that the new format may lack the diversity of opinions and perspectives that made
The View a beloved staple in American households.
Supporters, however, see this as an opportunity for ABC to embrace a changing media landscape and cater to a growing audience seeking conservative viewpoints.
What’s Behind the Shake-Up?
So, what really lies behind this sudden shake-up? Industry analysts point to several factors that contributed to ABC’s decision:
Changing Audience Dynamics
- : As younger viewers increasingly turn to digital platforms for news and entertainment, traditional daytime shows like
The View
- have struggled to maintain their relevance. ABC recognized the need to adapt to these changing dynamics and attract a new generation of viewers.
Political Polarization
- : The current political climate in the United States has created a demand for more partisan programming. With a growing number of viewers seeking out conservative media, ABC saw an opportunity to tap into this market with
The Charlie Kirk Show
Ratings Pressure
- : In an era where ratings can make or break a show, ABC executives were under pressure to deliver stronger numbers. Despite
The View
- ’s legacy, its ratings had been declining in recent years, prompting the network to explore new options.
Strategic Rebranding
- : By introducing
The Charlie Kirk Show
- , ABC aims to rebrand its daytime lineup and position itself as a leader in conservative commentary. This strategic move could help the network differentiate itself from competitors and attract a loyal audience.
Audience Reactions
As news of the cancellation of The View and the debut of The Charlie Kirk Show spread, social media erupted with reactions from fans and critics alike.
Supporters of the new show expressed excitement about the change, eager to see how Kirk and Kelly would tackle current events and engage with audiences.
Many believe that the duo’s dynamic will bring a fresh perspective to daytime television.
Conversely, longtime fans of The View voiced their disappointment and frustration over the cancellation.
Many took to social media to share their memories of the show, highlighting the important conversations it sparked and the diverse voices it featured.
Some expressed concern that the new show would lack the inclusivity and representation that characterized
The Future of Daytime Television
As The Charlie Kirk Show prepares to launch, the future of daytime television hangs in the balance.
This programming shift marks a significant turning point, and its success or failure could have lasting implications for the industry.
If the show resonates with audiences, it could pave the way for more conservative programming on network television.
Conversely, if it fails to attract viewers, it may prompt ABC to reconsider its approach to daytime programming once again.
One thing is certain: the landscape of daytime television is evolving, and ABC’s decision to replace The View with The Charlie Kirk Show is a reflection of that change. As viewers tune in to see what the new show has to offer, the industry will be watching closely to gauge the reaction and impact of this bold move.
Conclusion
In conclusion, ABC’s decision to cancel The View and introduce The Charlie Kirk Show represents a seismic shift in daytime television.
With Erika Kirk and Megyn Kelly at the helm, the network is taking a daring step towards catering to a changing audience landscape.
As the industry braces for the impact of this programming change, fans and critics alike are left to ponder the future of daytime talk shows. Will
The Charlie Kirk Show succeed in capturing the attention of viewers, or will it struggle to find its footing in a competitive landscape?
Only time will tell, but one thing is clear: the conversation around daytime television has just become more interesting.