Biography of Sophia Loren
Sophia Loren is a renowned global film diva. The Italian actress and singer is not only an icon of natural luxury and beauty but also a cultural figure of the 20th century. She was the first to win an Oscar for Best Actress in a Foreign Language Film (the legendary "Two Women" by Vittorio De Sica). She holds the title of Grand Officer of the Order of Saint Agatha of San Marino. She has received numerous awards and prizes, including a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, number 2000. In 2024 Sophia Loren celebrated her 90th birthday.Childhood and Youth
A girl born in the fall of 1934 to Romilda Villani, a native of the fishing village of Pozzuoli, was named Sophia.The young mother, who dreamt of becoming an actress, came to Rome to audition and become Greta Garbo's stand-in, and perhaps, who knows, even an independent actress. But she had to give up her possible brilliant future because she fell in love with engineer Riccardo Scicolone and got pregnant by him.
Modeling Career
School didn't bring much joy to Sophia. Because of her height, teenagers called her "Beanpole." She despaired when looking in the mirror: a long nose, too big a mouth, legs not right... Romilda, understanding the beauty her eldest daughter would become over time, convinced her to participate in the "Queen of the Sea" contest held annually in Pozzuoli, while sending her photos to various agencies. Fourteen-year-old Sophia made it to the top three winners and got a paid trip to Rome, where she attended castings. Her mother and sister also moved to the capital. Two years later, Sophia became Miss Elegance at the Miss Italy 1950 contest. She charmed the jury so much that they created the title just for her, as she walked the runway in shoes painted white and a dress made from pink tulle curtains.The Start of a Film Career: Polishing a Diamond
Despite his growing affection, Carlo Ponti remained a shrewd businessman when it came to investments and contracts. He spared no expense in molding Sophia into a star. Top etiquette experts schooled her in grace and refinement, while dialect coaches worked tirelessly to smooth out her thick Neapolitan accent.Makeup artists initiated her into the secrets of screen-ready cosmetics, and choreographers fine-tuned her walk, infusing it with a captivating sway. Not content with just surface improvements, Ponti insisted that Sophia immerse herself in classic literature and study the fundamentals of drama through timeless works. He was crafting not just an actress, but a cultural icon.
In an ironic twist of fate, Sophia's newfound fame led to an unexpected encounter with her long-absent father. Having caught wind of his illegitimate daughter's rise to stardom, he approached her with a proposition: money in exchange for officially acknowledging Anna-Maria, whose lack of paternal recognition was causing issues with her school certification. Without hesitation, Sophia handed over her first paycheck to Riccardo. Then, in a symbolic act of self-reinvention, she officially adopted her stage name, Loren, leaving behind the surname that tied her to her wayward father.
The Road to the Oscar
Ponti, who wanted his protégé to be known not only in Italy, arranged for Sophia to play Juana in Stanley Kramer's American project, "The Pride and the Passion." As was customary, the director hosted a party before filming began so the actors could get to know each other better.These words perfectly reflect the actress's American film career. Her energy was so powerful that Hollywood actors simply couldn't handle it. "Time" once remarked that "Sophia could swallow any of them," although the gastronomic advances from Hollywood's men were more than obvious.You know, I had to choose. But Carlo was Italian, he was from my world, and Cary Grant was not.
Oscar for "Two Women" and "Marriage Italian Style"
As Loren later joked, she owed her Oscar and subsequent career to the capricious Anna Magnani. This actress turned down the role of widow Cesira, whose daughter Sophia was supposed to play in the drama "Two Women."Her undeniable acting talent impressed the Academy so much that for the first time in Oscar history, a foreign actress received the coveted statuette. Sophia did not expect to win and did not attend the ceremony, as fellow nominee Audrey Hepburn starred in "Breakfast at Tiffany's," and Sophia was sure Audrey would win.When you watch the film, you cry with my character. Before that, I was just a performer. This film made me a real actress.
And once again, Sophia was right. Despite starring in Hollywood films with celebrities like Clark Gable ("It Started in Naples"), Charlie Chaplin, and Marlon Brando ("A Countess from Hong Kong"), her greatest on-screen partnership of the 20th century was recognized with her fellow countryman Marcello Mastroianni.I knew my place was in Italy. I became famous in America because of Italian films.
Just remember their "Marriage Italian Style" or "Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow," where both sparkle with humor, sexuality, and the fullness of life.The whole trick is that they are two incredibly beautiful and at the same time extraordinarily funny people. Most beautiful people are not funny at all.
Personal Life of Sophia Loren
Sophia Loren always called Carlo Ponti the love of her life. Despite the long years she had to wait for his divorce, which took place not in Italy but in France, and despite their secret wedding in Mexico that they later had to annul, Sophia Loren officially became Mrs. Ponti in the spring of 1966.Four years later, Sophia became pregnant again. Although bed rest was not as strict this time, she still avoided filming and attending events. In 1972, Loren safely gave birth to their second son, named Edoardo.
When the Carabinieri raided the villa in 1977, it was like a bolt from the blue. Carlo was accused of tax evasion and moving capital out of Italy, and their home was confiscated. Loren tried to save her beloved art collection, but she couldn't move it to their apartment in Paris, and she was detained at Rome's airport.
Loren, busy raising her sons, brushed off the gossip like annoying flies. Motherhood, which made her so happy, also made her incredibly strong against any attacks. Only the death of her beloved husband, who passed away from pneumonia in her arms in 2007, was a cruel blow for Sophia:“We are a phenomenon beyond their understanding. I did everything out of love for Sophia. I always believed in her. For the press, I was always a philanderer. I do not claim to be as pure as the driven snow. But if I had all the affairs the journalists attributed to me, I wouldn't have had time to make movies,” Carlo once said.
“Time has passed since his death, but it hasn't gotten easier for me. I still miss my husband; he is always in my thoughts. I still talk to him. When I am with my family, we look at his empty chair as if waiting for him to appear at any moment. I decided to write an autobiography to maintain this unbreakable connection with him. In the book, there's a photo from 1954 where Carlo is brushing my hair. This shot speaks of our love more than a thousand words,” says the actress.
Sophia Loren Now
At 90, the legendary movie goddess lives in Geneva with her long-time personal secretary, Ines Bruck. Her most recent role was Madame Rosa, which she played in the film directed by her younger son, Edoardo Ponti, "The Life Ahead."When I look in the mirror, I am happy. I don't ask, 'Are you great?' or 'Are you beautiful?' No! What matters is how I feel inside, how confident and happy I am. That's what matters.
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