Gina Lollobrigida, Hollywood Icon and Sex Symbol, Has Passed Away at 95
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The past week has been particularly sad for film and theatre fans of all ages as we said goodbye to one of the last icons of the Golden Age of Hollywood and global sex symbol, Gina Lollobrigida.
The Italian actress passed away at 95 years of age, leaving behind a legacy that will not be forgotten.
During the post-war period, Gina Lollobrigida's glamour and pzazz brought much-needed light to the big screen. Whether portraying a gypsy, a queen or a single mother, she stirred hearts wherever she went.
In fact, Humphrey Bogart, who she starred along side in her breakthrough movie Beat the Devil in 1953, said that Lollobrigida made 'Marilyn Monroe look like Shirley Temple'.
Gina Lollobrigida was born Luigia 'Gina' Lollobrigida on July 4, 1927 in Subiaco, a mountain village 50 kilometres east of Rome. Growing up, her family had to move to Rome where Lollobrigida began to study sculpture.
To make money and support herself, she started to take up singing and modelling gigs before eventually getting the attention of Italian film producers who offered her leading roles in their films.
Lollobrigida said that she initially didn't have any plans to pursue an acting career.
'I refused when they offered me my first role. They insisted again... So I told them my price was one million lire, thinking that would put a stop to the whole thing. But they said yes!' she said when talking about her entry into the film industry.
While Lollobrigida was most famous for Luigi Comencini’s Bread, Love and Dreams (1953) and Jean Delannoy’s version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1956), she also earned her stripes with notable roles alongside the heavy-hitters of her era, including Errol Flynn and Burt Lancaster.
Gina Lollobrigida had also made headlines for controversies during her stardom in Hollywood. She was known for her long-standing rivalry with fellow Italian diva Sophia Loren and many run-ins with other male co-stars such as Frank Sinatra who she described as having 'zero sense of humour' in an interview with Variety in 2018, when she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The Italian beauty, affectionately dubbed as 'La Lollo' by her fans, was crowned the 'Italian answer' to Elizabeth Taylor after she starred in her now-iconic, signature movie La Donna Piu Bella del Mondo (The Most Beautiful Woman in the World) in 1955.
She possessed such striking beauty after tabloids reported about how American tycoon Howard Hughes, who introduced Lollobrigida to Hollywood, and Prince Rainier of Monaco, who was still married to Princess Grace at the time, sought her for years.
She was not just beautiful; in fact, her talent matches her dazzling appearance, as seen by the nomination she received for a Golden Globe for her role in Buona Sera, Mrs. Campbell, and seven David di Donatello prizes, Italy's version of the Oscar.
But by the 1970s she had turned her attention to sculpture and photojournalism. She travelled the world, snapping celebrities such as Henry Kissinger, Maria Callas and Ella Fitzgerald, as well as scoring a scoop interview and photo shoot with Cuban leader Fidel Castro.
However, her life was not all glamour and pzazz as she faced hardships in the latter years of her life.
Passionate about politics, at age 72 she announced plans to run for a seat in the European Parliament. Unfortunately, she was unsuccessful, as was her attempt to become a Member of the Italian Parliament in 2022.
In 2006, at the age of 79, she made plans to wed her longtime Spanish partner Javier Rigau Rafols, who was 34 years younger than her. However, the couple split up a year later.
Fast forward to 2021, Lollobrigida was back in the spotlight amid a bitter legal battle with her son over her fortune. It was ruled that she needed a formal guardian to prevent individuals from stealing from her money due to her 'weakening' perception of reality.
Gina Lollobrigida provided an incredible catalogue of tributes to the golden age of film and will be honoured throughout the world in accordance with her vast influence and memorable performances. Aside from film, her legacy extends to the sculpture work, photography and photojournalism she produced throughout her life, cementing her place in the Hollywood Hall of Fame.
Members, take a moment to honour Gina Lollobrigida's iconic life. How does her story make you feel? What were some of your favourite films of hers? Let us know in the comments below!
The Italian actress passed away at 95 years of age, leaving behind a legacy that will not be forgotten.
During the post-war period, Gina Lollobrigida's glamour and pzazz brought much-needed light to the big screen. Whether portraying a gypsy, a queen or a single mother, she stirred hearts wherever she went.
In fact, Humphrey Bogart, who she starred along side in her breakthrough movie Beat the Devil in 1953, said that Lollobrigida made 'Marilyn Monroe look like Shirley Temple'.
Gina Lollobrigida was born Luigia 'Gina' Lollobrigida on July 4, 1927 in Subiaco, a mountain village 50 kilometres east of Rome. Growing up, her family had to move to Rome where Lollobrigida began to study sculpture.
Hollywood icon Gina Lollobrigida passed away at the age of 95. Credit: Shutterstock.
To make money and support herself, she started to take up singing and modelling gigs before eventually getting the attention of Italian film producers who offered her leading roles in their films.
Lollobrigida said that she initially didn't have any plans to pursue an acting career.
'I refused when they offered me my first role. They insisted again... So I told them my price was one million lire, thinking that would put a stop to the whole thing. But they said yes!' she said when talking about her entry into the film industry.
While Lollobrigida was most famous for Luigi Comencini’s Bread, Love and Dreams (1953) and Jean Delannoy’s version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1956), she also earned her stripes with notable roles alongside the heavy-hitters of her era, including Errol Flynn and Burt Lancaster.
Gina Lollobrigida had also made headlines for controversies during her stardom in Hollywood. She was known for her long-standing rivalry with fellow Italian diva Sophia Loren and many run-ins with other male co-stars such as Frank Sinatra who she described as having 'zero sense of humour' in an interview with Variety in 2018, when she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The Italian beauty did not have plans to pursue acting but she later gave in to the offers from Italian film-makers after they agreed to pay her millions. Credit: Shutterstock.
The Italian beauty, affectionately dubbed as 'La Lollo' by her fans, was crowned the 'Italian answer' to Elizabeth Taylor after she starred in her now-iconic, signature movie La Donna Piu Bella del Mondo (The Most Beautiful Woman in the World) in 1955.
She possessed such striking beauty after tabloids reported about how American tycoon Howard Hughes, who introduced Lollobrigida to Hollywood, and Prince Rainier of Monaco, who was still married to Princess Grace at the time, sought her for years.
She was not just beautiful; in fact, her talent matches her dazzling appearance, as seen by the nomination she received for a Golden Globe for her role in Buona Sera, Mrs. Campbell, and seven David di Donatello prizes, Italy's version of the Oscar.
But by the 1970s she had turned her attention to sculpture and photojournalism. She travelled the world, snapping celebrities such as Henry Kissinger, Maria Callas and Ella Fitzgerald, as well as scoring a scoop interview and photo shoot with Cuban leader Fidel Castro.
However, her life was not all glamour and pzazz as she faced hardships in the latter years of her life.
Passionate about politics, at age 72 she announced plans to run for a seat in the European Parliament. Unfortunately, she was unsuccessful, as was her attempt to become a Member of the Italian Parliament in 2022.
In 2006, at the age of 79, she made plans to wed her longtime Spanish partner Javier Rigau Rafols, who was 34 years younger than her. However, the couple split up a year later.
Fast forward to 2021, Lollobrigida was back in the spotlight amid a bitter legal battle with her son over her fortune. It was ruled that she needed a formal guardian to prevent individuals from stealing from her money due to her 'weakening' perception of reality.
Gina Lollobrigida provided an incredible catalogue of tributes to the golden age of film and will be honoured throughout the world in accordance with her vast influence and memorable performances. Aside from film, her legacy extends to the sculpture work, photography and photojournalism she produced throughout her life, cementing her place in the Hollywood Hall of Fame.
Members, take a moment to honour Gina Lollobrigida's iconic life. How does her story make you feel? What were some of your favourite films of hers? Let us know in the comments below!
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