The young actress eventually accepted an offer from Italian producer Franco Cristaldi, who signed her under an 18-year contract and later became her husband. Under his management, Cardinale’s life was tightly controlled, from her film roles to her personal decisions. One of the most tragic aspects of this period was her pregnancy, which Cristaldi insisted she keep hidden. Her son, Patrick, was passed off as her younger brother for much of his life, a secret that was revealed when he turned 19.