One of the most beautiful Italian actresses in history, Loren was born in Roma, in 1934, as Sofia Villani Scicolone.
Childhood was difficult: raised only by his mother, Romilda Villani, in modest economic conditions, he lived between Roma, Pozzuoli and Naples.
His film debut came early, with small roles in Italian films from the 1950s.
In 1950, at the age of 15, she participated in Miss Italy. Her visibility in the contest propelled her definitive entry into film.
He adopted the stage name Sophia Loren and began acting in larger productions. His fame would soon spread beyond Italy.
The role in “La Ciociara” (“Two Women”), by Vittorio De Sica, marked her consecration.
With this performance, she became the first actress to win an Oscar for a film spoken in a language other than English.
In the 1960s, he shone alongside stars such as Cary Grant, Marlon Brando and John Wayne.
Among the biggest hits are “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow”, “Marriage Italian Style” and “Sunflowers of Russia”.
She was one of the first actresses to receive $1 million for a film: “The Fall of the Roman Empire” (1964).
With Marcello Mastroianni, he formed one of the most charismatic duos in Italian cinema.
Together, they enchanted audiences in films such as “A Very Special Day” and “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow”.
Decades later, they revived their partnership in Robert Altman's “Pret-a-Porter.”
She is the actress who has won the most awards at the David di Donatello, the main award in Italian cinema.
In 1991, he received an Honorary Oscar for his contribution to cinema.
She married the same man twice: producer Carlo Ponti, with whom she had two children.
The union was legally officialized in 1966. Their sons, Carlo Jr. and Edoardo, pursued careers in the arts.
In the 1970s, he began to choose roles more carefully, reducing his attendance at the cinema.
In 2020, at the age of 86, he returned to acting in the film “Rosa e Momo”, directed by his son Edoardo Ponti.
In 2024, she was elected personality of the year by the Treccani Encyclopedia, the ultimate symbol of Italian women.
During her marriage to Ponti, she used part of her fortune to build an art collection with pieces by Picasso, Matisse, Renoir and other masters.
With beauty, talent and elegance, Sophia Loren remains an eternal reference in Italian cinema.
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