Monica Bellucci biography, daughter, now, age, net worth, children, height 2025

Monica Bellucci's Biography

Monica Bellucci is a world-renowned Italian actress and model who frequently works in Hollywood. For many, Monica embodies true beauty and femininity.

Monica Bellucci – a recognized sex symbol of the 90s

Childhood

Monica Bellucci's parents had a complicated story. Her father is Pasquale Bellucci and mother is Brunella Briganti.

They settled in the small Italian town of Città di Castello. He worked for a trucking company, and his wife became a housewife. They lived modestly, but were deeply in love. The only shadow over their marriage was their struggle with infertility. The doctors diagnosed the woman with "infertility" and advised her to hope for a miracle. So when their daughter Monica was born on September 30, 1964, her parents saw it as nothing short of a miracle.

12-year-old Monica Bellucci with her father (right)

The future star grew up in a working-class family and understood that education was her ticket to a better life, so Monica was a dedicated student. In her youth, in addition to her native language, Monica Bellucci mastered French and English perfectly, as well as the basics of Spanish.

In her youth, Monica Bellucci dreamed of becoming a lawyer

From childhood, Monica had her heart set on becoming a lawyer. At the same time, people noticed her striking beauty from an early age – the result of her Eastern and Mediterranean heritage. So at 13, she started working part-time as a model. A local amateur photographer helped her put together a portfolio.

Modeling Career

By 16, she was already walking the runway at Liceo Classico. Monica loved transforming into glamorous looks and catching photographers' admiring glances, and she gave up her childhood dream of a legal career.

At 16, Bellucci signed a contract with a renowned modeling agency

In 1983, she wanted to enroll in the law department of the University of Perugia, but had to drop out due to her busy modeling schedule.

In 1988, 24-year-old Monica moved to Milan, where she signed a contract with Elite Model Management. A year later, Monica Bellucci was well-known among fashion industry insiders in New York and Paris.

18-year-old Monica Bellucci is an accomplished model

The young celebrity posed for French Elle and appeared in an advertisement for Dolce & Gabbana perfume. The video for the brand was shot by Italian director Giuseppe Tornatore, who later directed Bellucci in his film.

Young Monica Bellucci in L'Oreal Ad (1992)

Acting Career

Monica Bellucci had already conquered the modeling world, but she wasn't about to stop there. She made her acting debut in Italian cinema in 1990. Her first roles included parts in the films "Vita coi figli," "La Riffa."

Monica Bellucci's first appearance on television (1991)

Everything changed in 1992 when legendary director Francis Ford Coppola cast Bellucci as Dracula's bride in a film with Gary Oldman as the bloodthirsty count and young Winona Ryder and Keanu Reeves. This became Monica's breakthrough role. After this, she started receiving offers from directors in America and Europe.

Monica's European breakthrough came in 1996, after her performance as Lisa in the melodrama "The Apartment". Bellucci captivated both audiences and critics, earning her a César award. During the shooting, she met the already popular French actor Vincent Cassel. The following year, she starred with him in the French action film "Doberman," where she played the role of the deaf girlfriend of the main character, a bandit.

Monica Bellucci & Vincent Cassel dance - The Apartment 1996

In 1997, Monica Bellucci participated in the shooting of three films - "Stressati," "Come mi vuoi," and "A los que aman," and a year later in four more - "Compromis," "Le Plaisir," "L'ultimo capodanno." Offers flooded in for the stunning Italian actress, but Monica remained selective and demanding. She strived to choose only those roles where her talent could be fully revealed, not just to showcase her already obvious beauty.

Bellucci and Cassel were one of the most beautiful star couples

Monica's ticket to international stardom was her role in Giuseppe Tornatore's drama "Malena" (2000), where she seemed to play herself - an incredibly beautiful woman for whom her unearthly appearance becomes both a gift and a curse. Beauty is dangerous—it ignites envy in some, desire in others, yet remains a gift that must be carried with grace. For this delicately performed role, the actress won the Audience Award from the European Film Academy in 2001.

People can forgive even your talent, but they will never forgive your beauty.

Monica Bellucci

In 2001, Monica starred in the film "Le Pacte des loups" with her husband Vincent Cassel, for which she was awarded another prize - the "Saturn" award for the best female supporting role. She then played Cleopatra in the adventure comedy "Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra" with Gerard Depardieu. The film was destined for success, largely thanks to Bellucci's casting—Monica embodies regal beauty, making the role of Egypt's last queen seem tailor-made for her.

The film featuring Bellucci was doomed to success

Next came the provocative "Irreversible" (2002) by Gaspar Noé, which sparked intense controversy among audiences. The film's brutal nine-minute assault scene was so viscerally realistic that it left many Cannes viewers physically sick. Bellucci herself later confessed she's afraid to rewatch the film, though it stands as one of her most courageous and powerful performances. In a fascinating twist, this experimental drama—told entirely in reverse chronological order—featured her real-life husband Vincent Cassel as her on-screen boyfriend.

Monica Bellucci Irreversible tunnel scene repetition

Bellucci's next projects included the Italian drama "Ricordati di me" (2003) and "Tears of the Sun" (2003) alongside Bruce Willis, before landing her breakthrough Hollywood role that same year in the Wachowski brothers' "The Matrix: Reloaded" and "The Matrix: Revolutions." She played the enigmatic Persephone, the Merovingian's wife, who agrees to help Neo (Keanu Reeves) but demands a passionate kiss in return. The directors of the legendary trilogy clearly recognized Bellucci's magnetic appeal, crafting a character that capitalized on her natural sensuality.

"The Matrix" marked a pivotal moment for the 39-year-old Italian actress—her official conquest of Hollywood. Hollywood, always magnetized by beauty, sexuality, and charisma, couldn't resist Monica Bellucci. She could have easily coasted on her image as an unattainable beauty, but instead chose challenging roles and complex scripts. During this period, Monica deliberately switched between genres, proving her versatility across any type of role.

Monica Bellucci in 2005

Following "The Matrix," she took on Mary Magdalene in Mel Gibson's controversial biblical epic "The Passion of the Christ." The intense film, depicting Christ's final days before crucifixion through unflinchingly brutal scenes, divided critics with its controversial biblical interpretation. Though not Catholic herself, Monica was determined to land the role of Jesus's devoted follower.

A frame from the movie The Passion of Christ

She reunited with Vincent Cassel for the thriller "Secret Agents" (2004). Her next major Hollywood success came with Terry Gilliam's fantasy "The Brothers Grimm" (2005), which reimagined the famous German storytellers' lives. Naturally, mysticism abounded—Monica played a centuries-dead evil queen who uses dark magic to seduce unsuspecting visitors with her eternal beauty. The Grimm brothers Jacob and Wilhelm, played by Heath Ledger and Matt Damon, become ensnared in her web.

Monica Bellucci's filmography also includes villainous roles

That same year, Bellucci once again embodied the role of a femme fatale in renowned French director Bertrand Blier's "How Much Do You Love Me?", starring opposite Gerard Depardieu. Monica's next major role came in "The Stone Council" (2006), where she starred alongside Catherine Deneuve and Moritz Bleibtreu. Audiences particularly remember Bellucci's role in the Hollywood thriller "Shoot 'Em Up" (2007) with Clive Owen. Her performance in the Italian melodrama "The Man Who Loves" (2008), co-starring Ksenia Rappoport, is also worth noting.

The actress still impresses with her beauty and sense of style

During this period, Bellucci also worked with French stars Sophie Marceau and Daniel Auteuil. She also appeared in "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" (2010) with Nicolas Cage and "Manual of Love" with Robert De Niro. In 2014, the actress played an opera diva in the popular Amazon series "Mozart in the Jungle" with Gael García Bernal. In 2015, Bellucci became the first mature Bond girl to star opposite Daniel Craig in the Bond franchise with "007: Spectre".

In 2015 Monica Bellucci became the new girlfriend of James Bond

In 2016, the actress had the opportunity to work with cult Serbian director Emir Kusturica on his war melodrama "On the Milky Road". Bellucci played the love interest of the main character, a role Kusturica took on himself.

Interview with Monica Bellucci 'Close Up' 2013

In 2017, the actress hosted the opening and closing ceremonies of the Cannes Film Festival for the second time. She also made a cameo appearance in David Lynch's "Twin Peaks" revival. Bellucci also signed on for the sci-fi horror "Nekrotronic" and the thriller "Spider in the Web", co-starring Ben Kingsley.

Monica Bellucci in her youth and now (18 and 50 years old)

In 2019, the actress starred in the short series "Do Not Disturb". One of its directors was Jude Law. That same year, she appeared in the French film "The Best Years of a Life", though Claude Lelouch's film received mixed reviews from critics.

In 2020, the actress starred in several more films. Among them - "The Man Who Sold His Skin". Also in 2020, fans of early films with Bellucci had the opportunity to look at a familiar story from a new angle - Gaspar Noé re-edited the drama "Irreversible", bringing the narration into chronological order.

Monica Bellucci in The Man Who Sold His Skin

Bellucci is also confirmed for the main role in the mini-series "Radical Eye: The Life and Times of Tina Modotti", however, work on the project has not yet begun.

Monica Bellucci's Personal Life

Italian screen icon Monica Bellucci has kept her romantic life within the entertainment world. She first married Argentine photographer Claudio Basso briefly, then got engaged to Italian actor Nicola Farron.

Monica met her future second husband, French actor Vincent Cassel, in 1996 on the set of romantic drama "The Apartment," where they played lovers on screen.

The love story of Monica Bellucci and Vincent Cassel began on the set of 'The Apartment'

Their first impressions weren't great: Monica thought Cassel was too arrogant, while he dismissed her as just another gorgeous starlet playing at being an actress. But by the time filming wrapped, they were inseparable.

When I first met Vincent, there was a spark between us. Initially, we thought we felt animosity toward each other, but as we got to know each other better, we realized it was magical attraction. I don't know how we ended up together. We didn't choose who we wanted to be with; it just happened.

Still, the couple didn't move in together – Monica needed her space and independence. Even years after their wedding, they kept living apart – he in France, she in Italy. The actress said she didn't want to get caught up in domestic routine.

In 2004, the 40-year-old actress had her first child – daughter Deva. Having a child brought Vincent and Monica closer together. Bellucci didn't take extended maternity leave – after nine months of breastfeeding, she was back on set. In May 2010, Monica Bellucci gave birth to her second daughter – Leonie.

Deva Cassel, Monica Bellucci's eldest daughter

In 2013, the power couple shocked fans when they split up. Their long periods apart likely contributed to the breakup. Bellucci later admitted their independence ultimately threatened the relationship, so they decided to part ways.

In 2023, after the Lumière Film Festival in Lyon, rumors swirled about Bellucci dating director Tim Burton. They soon confirmed the rumors, making their debut as a couple at October's Rome Film Festival.

Monica Bellucci and Tim Burton at the Lumière Film Festival

These days, Monica focuses on family time and raising her daughters. She wants her daughters to trust their instincts and know they don't need a man's support to succeed.

Monica Bellucci Now

In 2022, Monica took on the role of mafia boss Bianca in the crime comedy "Mafia Mamma". She starred alongside Toni Collette, who played her character's protege. Bellucci, who rarely takes on comedy roles, explained her decision:

...I've done few comedies in my career. I grew up on mafia movies, like many of my peers in Italy: 'Once Upon a Time in America', 'Goodfellas', and 'The Godfather'. But this was something totally different - a mafia comedy with a feminine twist. We live in a male-dominated society, so these women have to fight back. Toni - she's fantastic. I'm so glad I had the chance to work with her.

Soon after, Bellucci landed another role in unfamiliar territory. Tim Burton cast his partner as Beetlejuice's wife in his new film "Beetlejuice 2", a sequel to his 1988 movie.

Monica Bellucci: latest news and articles

Monica Bellucci received a role in a film by Russian director Kantemir Balagov
23 May 2025

Ruby Peterson

I was surprised when I saw her in the movie The Passion of the Christ

2021-05-10 20:01:19
Erika Clark

Her name`s all over public but it`s difficult to remember any movie with her. Who has the same??

2021-05-04 23:05:58
Beatrice Harris

I can`t remember any moment in the movies where I can see her actress...

2021-04-20 13:17:07
Dorothy Hall

In my opinion she got in the cinema just because of her pretty appearance but I don`t see any non ordinary

2021-04-16 21:46:48
Rosa Stewart

As an actress I dont like so much Bellucci but she is so beautiful :)

2021-02-28 16:05:09

Photos: Monica Bellucci