Claudia Cardinale: Here’s what the Italian film icon looks like at 86

In 1958, she had her big break with a leading role in the romantic comedy, Three Strangers in Rome. Working seven months into her pregnancy–which under Cristaldi’s direction she continued to keep a secret–Cardinale became depressed and had suicidal thoughts, pleading with her manager to terminate the contract.

Instead, Cristaldi shipped her to London, away from the press, falsely saying she was away learning English for a role.

In 1975, her baby Patrick was born, a child she said was fathered by an unidentified man, who raped her. Patrick’s identity as her son, was kept a secret until he turned 19.

‘Violent truth’

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