Claudia Cardinale was called ‘Italy’s Girlfriend’ and had shaped a generation of European cinema. Not only her beauty, but even her captivating voice had put every cinephile under her spell. Leaving behind a legacy of work, Claudia passed away on September 23, 2025, surrounded by her loved ones.
However, the actress whose fame made her one of the most bankable stars of the time also had a downside to it. Claudia, who became a teen mom after enduring an abusive relationship, had to keep the idenity of her son a secret. She passed him off as her brother for years as she was just starting off in the film industry. But now her son is an actor himself and has surely made his mother proud. Here’s everything to know about Claudia Cardinale’s son.
Claudia Cardinale gave birth to her son, Patrick Cristaldi
Claudia Cardinale had no interest in entering the film world, but after winning a beauty pageant and turning heads at the Venice Film Festival, her father encouraged her to try out acting as a career. Claudia initially started starring in small roles in films, slowly making her way through Italian cinema. However, the early days of her career were marred by an abusive relationship with an anonymous film producer. Claudia then fell pregnant and gave birth to a son, Patrick, when she was just 19 years old.
Claudia Cardinale passed off her son as her brother for seven years
Patrick was born in London on October 19, 1958, in secrecy. As a rising star with an image of a fresh-faced young girl in the cinemas, Claudia had no choice but to keep the identity of her son a secret. Patrick was raised by his grandparents, and Claudia passed him off as her brother for seven years. However, the veteran actress also once revealed to Le Monde that her son played a significant part in her choosing to stay in the film world despite being abused by a film producer. Claudia said that to take care of her son, she chose to act, earn a livelihood, and be independent. The actress shared:
“I did it for him, for Patrick, the child I wanted to keep despite the circumstances and the enormous scandal.”
Patrick was adopted by Claudia Cardinale’s former partner, Franco Cristaldi
Claudia Cardinale dated Italian film producer, Franco Cristaldi, from 1958 to 1975. During their relationship, Claudia and Franco also had a marriage ceremony, but in name only. They weren’t officially married. Despite this, Franco Cristaldi adopted her young son and gave him his surname. Even today, Claudia’s son goes by the name of Patrick Cristaldi. Although Franco had a contribution in shaping Claudia’s career, the two separated after discontent grew between them on the subject of the actress’ independence.
Claudia Cardinale has another daughter besides her son, Patrick Cristaldi
Claudia Cardinale met and fell in love with Italian film director, Pasquale Squitieri in 1975. They were known as a power couple and remained together until Pasquale’s passing in 2017. The two spent 42 years together despite never being married to each other, and Claudia also called him her ‘only love’. Patrick has a half-sister, born to the actress and Pasquale. According to a tweet by a fan account, Clauda reportedly had her second child at the age of forty.
Patrick also has a step-brother named Massimo from his adoptive father, Franco Cristaldi. Massimo is the son of the film producer with his first wife, from whom he was separated to live with his then-girlfriend and Patrick’s mother, Claudia Cardinale. Franco Cristaldi, who passed away in 1992, did not have any other children and is survived by his sons.
Where is Claudia Cardinale’s son, Patrick Cristaldi, now?
As per a Soapcentral report, Patrick and his half-sister live at their mother, Claudia’s, home in Fontainebleau, France. Patrick’s IMDb page describes him as an actor and states that he appeared in the 1988 Italian film, Gli Invisibili, also known as The Invisible Ones. Interestingly, this film was directed by Claudia’s partner, Pasquale Squitieri. Reports also suggest that while passing away, both her children were there beside Claudia.
What are your thoughts on Claudia Cardinale hiding the identity of her son for seven years? Let us know.
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