Sophia Loren - biography, photo in his youth and now

Ruthless time - it erases beautiful features, and our age of beauty and youth is short-lived. How many great actresses, unable to cope with the merciless time, left their profession, not wanting to move from the role of a fatal beauty to the role of their mother, or even grandmother.

But all this is not about her. She has retained her beauty for decades and continues to act in films for many years.

Sophia Loren is one of the most beautiful women in the world. How does she manage to remain beautiful, even though she is already over seventy? - “You just need to be in harmony with yourself” - says the great actress.

Sophia Loren - photo in her youth

Everyone knows the tale of Cinderella - one of the favorite fairy tales of little girls who dream of suddenly, at the wave of a good fairy's magic wand, to be in the palace next to the handsome prince ... But Sophia Loren, unlike Cinderella, had to achieve everything herself. In life, nothing came easy for her, and probably when, as a result of persistent struggle and work, she achieved her goal, it was then that she felt immensely happy.

Sofia was born on September 20, 1934 in Rome, in a hospital for the poor. Her mother, a school music teacher, Romilda Villani, found herself penniless after the birth of her daughter. And her father, a construction engineer, Riccardo Shicolone, upon learning that his beloved Romilda was pregnant, immediately, quite simply, ran away from her. After much persuasion and scandals, he finally agreed to give his daughter his last name. It was extremely difficult for a single mother to live in Rome, and she returned to her native village, to her father's house. How many reproaches and ridicule the young woman had to endure, and how much she had to work to feed her family. Arriving late in the evening, falling from fatigue, she often half asleep recalled how she once dreamed of becoming an actress, how she won the main prize at the Greta Garbo lookalike competition. Yes, it really was. Only dreams were not destined to come true. The main prize - a trip to the USA - did not materialize. Romilda's parents did not let her go. And now - what dreams can be when you constantly think about how to feed your family. Three years later, she again got along with Riccardo, naively believing that he would become a respectable father of the family, and prosperity would appear in the house. But instead of prosperity, another little baby daughter appeared, and the "father of the family" was again far from them. This time he didn't even give his last name to his daughter.

Sophia Loren recalled her childhood, when she was hungry all the time, when she and her little sister, hugging their mother, slept on the same bed with her. What kind of toys can we talk about? The girls made figurines out of bread crumb, with which they amused themselves until hunger overwhelmed them. Remembering her childhood, Sofia said that her companion was constant fear - fear that there would be nothing to eat, fear that she would be mocked (being illegitimate at that time is ...). And there was also the most terrible fear - the village was often bombed during the war, since there was an ammunition factory there.

After the war, Romilda, struggling to earn money, opened a small tavern in her house. The former music teacher entertained visitors by playing the piano, while Sofia delivered orders for visitors to the tables. For high growth and thinness, she received the nickname - "Toothpick".

But at fourteen years old, thin, ugly, with a long nose and a large mouth, the girl turned into an extraordinary beauty. Luxurious hair, huge eyes, striking shapes attracted and beckoned to him. But the views of men did not conquer her. She, inspired by her mother's stories, dreamed of cinema. What once did not come true for Romilda, now had to come true for her daughter, so she tried to help her in everything ...

In 1949 Romilda learned that a competition “Queen of the Sea” would be held in Naples. How to be? Sofia doesn't have anything decent out of clothes. Then Romilda sews her a dress from old curtains, and her shoes, to look fresher, are painted with white paint. Despite this miserable outfit, Sofia was among the twelve finalists. She received the title - "Princess of the Sea", as well as - a kitchen tablecloth, napkins, several rolls of wallpaper, 23 thousand lire (35 dollars) and a free ticket to Rome.

Together with her mother, Sophia went to Rome. There was filming of the film "Kamo vrydeshi?" Sofia was accepted for the crowd scenes. Soon Romilda had to leave because of the illness of his youngest daughter. Sofia was left alone. But the girl was not confused and did not get lost in the big city, where there are a lot of pleasures and lustful glances of men. It is especially difficult for a beautiful girl to protect herself from temptations. But Sophia was not like that. She had a main goal - and it was to her that she made her way. Day after day she came to the studios and editorial offices of magazines. The girl was noticed by photographers. So she got into the so-called "photo comics", although she managed to get episodic roles in films. She got a pseudonym - Sofia Lazzaro. She continued to participate in beauty pageants. There, in addition to prizes, it was possible to receive money that she always needed. In 1950, at the Miss Italy pageant, she received the title "Miss Grace" and 25 thousand lire.

Once, when Sofia and her friends visited a nightclub, one of the club employees approached her and offered to take part in the competition, introducing her to one of the jury members. It was film producer Carlo Ponti. Sofia took second place, but Carlo Ponti already then saw in her a future star. Little plump little Carlo, who was 22 years older than Sofia, saw only exceptional acting potential in her. Carlo started taking her to screen tests. But to the surprise of all the directors and cameramen unanimously repeated that she was not cinematic, that she needed to lose weight, that she had too large hips or too long nose, that she needed plastic surgery to reduce her nose, etc. To all this, she refused, although she so wanted to act in films, and she so needed money.

Sofia did not want to change anything in herself and adapt to that modern look, to look the way it seemed fashionable at that time (isn't it a wise decision?). Carlo alone saw in her a real "Neapolitan diamond". And while the filmmakers doubted, shrugged their shoulders or tried to get used to her non-standard appearance, Carlo taught Sofia to walk and talk. She attended acting school, polished manners, read classical literature, mastered the art of style and makeup.

Finally, in 1952, she got the lead role in the semi-documentary Africa Beyond the Seas. Soon, the producer Goffredo suggested that she change her name, as it seemed to him, to a more European one - they chose Sophia Loren. Then she starred incessantly - up to a dozen films a year. But the real success came to her in the film directed by Vittorio de Sica "The Gold of Naples."

Vittorio de Sica became Sophie's first great director, mentor. He taught young Sophie to work, he saw in her a talented actress, and not just a beautiful girl. He created Sophia Loren. Under the contract that Ponti signed with him, de Sica was supposed to shoot one film each year with the participation of Sophia Loren. This is how the masterpieces of cinema were created: "Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow", "The Recluses of Altona", "Marriage in Italian", ...

In 1954, Sofia and Marcello Mastroianni met on the set. They starred in the movie "It's a pity you're such a canal."It was then that the famous duet was born, which delighted the audience for almost forty years.

In 1955, Sophia Loren was already one of the most famous actresses in Italian cinema. Her photographs have graced the covers of magazines. She became famous not only in Italy, but also in Europe and America.

And it was at this time that the prodigal father tried to return, who earlier did not want to recognize her. Riccardo Shicolone wanted to improve relations with his daughter, because now she does not need him, but he needs her. But having received a refusal, he decided to approach from the other side. Once, at the birth of his youngest daughter, he did not even give his last name. And now I decided to take advantage of this. At that time, being illegitimate was a very sad fact. Therefore, Riccardo Shicolone called a round sum on the condition that he recognizes Anna Maria as his daughter. Sophie had to pay, but from now on the doors were closed in front of him.

But in front of Sophie at the same time, the doors of Hollywood opened. She was offered to star in the film "Pride and Passion". "... I almost fainted ... I, little Sofia Shikolone, had to play ... with the romantic heroes of my childhood dreams!" Partner Cary Grant was just crazy about the young Italian. Every day he sent a bouquet of roses to her dressing room. But at that time, the relationship between Carlo Ponti and Sophie was no longer just business. There was love between them, but Carlo could not marry Sophie, since he was married. And according to those Italian laws, divorce was not possible. Carlo gave her expensive gifts, jewelry, roles and world fame. In the next film, Lauren and Grant were supposed to play two lovers together. And Ponti could not resist. In Mexico, he divorced his marriage and there on September 18, 1957, by proxy, he married Sophia, and at that time she starred in the film "Family Boat" with Cary Grant and it was in the scene of the wedding of two lovers.

When Italy found out about Ponti and Sophia's marriage, a scandal erupted. The entire press shouted that she was a harlot, and Carlo was a bigamist, since in Italy civil divorce and marriage were not considered valid. For fear of returning to Italy, they lived for a time in Bürgenstock in Switzerland. Sophie continued to act, she played with almost all the stars of Hollywood.

Interest in her after the scandal increased even more. And her Hollywood films "Love under the Elms" and "Black Orchid" enjoyed tremendous success all over the world, but not in her homeland, where she was still not recognized. Even when she won an Oscar for Vittorio de Sica's film Chochara, based on the novel by Alberto Moravio, none of the Italian officials congratulated her. But that was not all. They had to give an explanation in court, and also Ponti had to declare that their marriage was invalid. All the requirements of the court had to be met in order to avoid jail. After that, they were able to return to Italy, but rented housing under assumed names, and at all the receptions they had to come and go as if they did not know each other.

Sophia Loren - photo in her youth and now

At the same time, her sister Maria fell in love and married the son of the former fascist dictator Mussolini. The family was against this marriage, but Maria still became Signora Mussolini. And when her daughter Alessandra was born, Sofia was invited to play the godmother. The Catholic Church forbade her, as a "famous sinner", to appear in the church, but she still came, causing another scandal.

All these scandals did not affect her acting destiny in any way. Sofia starred, she starred a lot, receiving award after award. There were, of course, unsuccessful films that flopped at the box office, and critics considered them boring and old-fashioned. For example, like the film "The Countess of Hong Kong". But there were those who brought success and worldwide fame. For example, the films "Millionaire", "El Sid", "Arabesque", "Sunflowers". Among the awards from 1964 to 1978 were four more Golden Globes, as well as six Italian Academy Awards David di Donatello.

Sophia Loren remained faithful to her lover, despite the Italian laws.And journalists and spectators were simply amazed at such a constancy of feelings that it did not correspond at all to the acting environment, where there were always numerous novels. Perhaps thanks to the constancy of her feelings, without being distracted by whirlwind romances, the actress was able to achieve such success.

Finally, Carlo found a way out: he agreed with his ex-wife Juliana Fiastri that the three of them would move to France. The petition to grant them citizenship was signed by Georges Pompidou. Then Ponti and Fiastri received a divorce, and on April 9, 1966, Carlo Ponti and Sophia Loren officially became husband and wife.

For complete happiness, the family did not have enough children. And here there were difficulties - several pregnancies ended in miscarriages. To give birth to a child, she had to stay in bed for several months. After long-term treatment, Carlo Ponti Jr. was born in 1968. And, despite the prohibitions of doctors, four years later she gave birth to her second son, Eduardo.

Sophia was called a crazy mother: she did not let go of her babies for days, did not allow anyone to approach them. For the sake of the children, I was ready to quit acting. "Love and family are the only things that matter to me." She was happy. "This is the main role in my life, before which everything pales."

Under the influence of Carlo Ponti, she did not leave the cinema, but she began to act less often. Sofia enthusiastically devoted herself to housekeeping, even wrote a book about cooking - "In the kitchen with love" and "Living and loving." The last book is her autobiography, based on which the script for the TV movie was written. In this film, Sophia Loren played two roles - her mother and herself.

But the authorities of Italy, this married couple did not give rest. In 1977, Ponti was charged with tax evasion, the export of funds abroad and the illegal use of government subsidies. Sofia was accused of being an accomplice. I had to flee to Paris. Meanwhile, an arrest warrant for Ponti was issued in Italy. He was threatened with imprisonment for 30 years. The trial took place in 1979, he was sentenced to four years in prison and a fine of $ 24 million, Sofia was acquitted by the court. Carlo Ponti did not appear in Italy for many years. And Sofia had to go there because of the filming. And in 1980, the authorities still sentenced her to a month in prison, allegedly for tax evasion. She served only 18 days, but she called her stay there hell.

With the advent of children, she starred less and less. Sophia Loren devoted a lot of time to children. And a new type of activity appeared: she released a perfume named after herself, began to develop sketches of jewelry and eyeglass frames, and also created clothes.

The Catholic Church has finally come to terms with its existence. Sophia Loren has become a recognized living legend in world cinema.

In 1991 she received the Legion of Honor and an honorary Oscar. Winner of honorary awards at all major film festivals - Cannes (1961), Venice (1958, 1998), Moscow (1965, 1997), Berlin (1994). Winner of five Golden Globe awards. First winner of the Oscar for Best Actress in a Foreign Language Film (1961). Winner of the honorary "Oscar" (1991) and many - many other awards, which she herself will not be able to immediately remember and list. Sophia Loren is the unfading star of cinema. It was for the number of awards that she was included in the Guinness Book of Records.

In 1994, Sophia Loren appeared for the last time with her long-term partner Marcello Mastroianni in the film Pret-a-Porter.

Sophia Loren is an unfading beauty. What is her secret? - journalists ask, we also ask each other.

And what does Sophia herself say? - “I have no special secrets to combat old age. You just have to live in harmony with yourself and the world around you. " And besides this, the actress advises to maintain balance, enjoy life, take care of yourself, dress beautifully, eat right, sleep at least 8 hours a day, and play sports.

When journalists recently asked her if she was going to get married again? (The love of her life, Carlo Ponti, passed away in 2007). Sophie replied, “Never. It is impossible to love someone else ... "

Most likely, here lies the clue to her unfading beauty - true love, which has been with her for many years.

Next to her are her sons - the elder Carlo - the famous conductor, the younger Eduardo - the film director and three grandchildren, who are now her main love.