Producers quickly took notice of the radiant newcomer, but behind Claudia Cardinale’s poised image was a painful secret—she was pregnant after a violent assault by an older man. She declined most roles until producer Franco Cristaldi offered her fame and protection,
eventually becoming her manager and husband, though their relationship lacked true affection.Cristaldi demanded her pregnancy remain hidden, and when her son Patrick was born, the public was told he was her brother. Under his control, Cardinale was shaped into Italy’s answer to Brigitte Bardot, though she stayed true to her principles—refusing to appear nude on screen.