A Mass of Gratitude in La Goulette
In the coastal town of La Goulette, the local church hosted a messe en hommage to Claudia Cardinale, the beloved enfant du pays. The service was officiated by Father Narcisse Djerambete, and the pews were filled by French, Italian and Tunisian residents as well as a number of dignitaries who wanted to pay tribute to a life in cinema and service to her homeland.
Guided by a spirit of restrained reverence, attendees were asked to forego flowers and wreaths in keeping with Cardinale’s wish for a dignified and modest homage. The atmosphere was one of quiet reflection, with prayers and memories shared in a language that crossed borders.
A Life Rooted in La Goulette
Claudia Cardinale was born in 1938 in La Goulette, Tunisia, into a modest Italian family. Her beauty and talent soon propelled her into the ranks of Europe’s cinema elite. In 1957, she was proclaimed “the most beautiful Italian woman in Tunis,” a title that opened doors to the Venice Film Festival and a career that would enchant audiences across continents.
A Global Icon with Local Roots
Throughout her life she remained deeply connected to her birthplace, often honoring Tunisia in her work. She appeared in Ferid Boughedir’s film “Un été à la Goulette,” a cinematic homage to the city that had given her her start, and she never ceased to advocate for the next generation of talent. Her story is a testament to how a child of La Goulette could become a symbol of European cinema, while never forgetting her origins.
A Lasting Legacy
Cardinale served as president of the Fondation Claudia Cardinale, an institution dedicated to supporting young talents in the arts. Even as the world mourned her passing on September 23, 2025, in Nemours, France, the foundation pledged to continue her mission of mentorship and opportunity—ensuring that her generosity endures beyond her own life.
The Paris Funeral and a Global Reverence
Her public obsequies are scheduled for Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at 14:30, at Saint-Roch Church in Paris. The ceremony will bring together friends, colleagues, and admirers from France, Italy, and Tunisia and will be a global moment of remembrance for a cinema icon who bridged cultures and generations.
In Memory of a Cinema Icon
Claudia Cardinale’s legacy lives on in the roles she defined, in the dignity with which she carried herself, and in the charitable work she championed. She will be remembered as a proud child of La Goulette, whose artistry illuminated European cinema and whose generosity continues to fuel the dreams of young artists through her foundation.
