Gina Lollobrigida
| Gina Lollobrigida | |
|---|---|
Gina Lollobrigida in the 1960s
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| Born |
Luigina Lollobrigida 4 July 1927 Subiaco, Italy |
| Occupation | Actress, photojournalist |
| Years active | 1946–1997 |
| Spouse(s) | Milko Skofic (1949–71) (divorced) |
| Children | Andrea Milko Skofic |
| Awards | Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, Legion of Honour, Ordre des Arts et des Lettres |
Luigina "Gina" Lollobrigida (Italian pronunciation: [ˈdʒiːna ˌlɔlloˈbriːdʒida]; born 4 July 1927) is an Italian actress, photojournalist and sculptress. She was one of the highest profile European actresses of the 1950s and early 1960s, a period in which she was an international sex symbol.
As her film career slowed, she established second careers as a photojournalist and sculptress. In the 1970s, she achieved a scoop by gaining access to Fidel Castro for an exclusive interview.
She has continued as an active supporter of Italian and Italian American causes, particularly the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF). In 2008, she received the NIAF Lifetime Achievement Award at the Foundation's Anniversary Gala. In 2013, she sold her jewelry collection, and donated the nearly $5 million from the sale to benefit stem cell therapy research.
Born Luigina Lollobrigida in Subiaco, Italy, she is one of four daughters of a furniture manufacturer and his wife. Her sisters are Giuliana (b. 1924), Maria (b. 1929) and Fernanda (1930–2011). In her youth, Lollobrigida did some modelling, and from that, she participated successfully in several beauty contests. At around this time, she began appearing in Italian films in minor roles.
In 1945, at age 18, she played a part in the comedy Santarellina by Eduardo Scarpetta at the Teatro della Concordia of Monte Castello di Vibio. (It is the smallest theatre all'italiana in the world.)
In 1947, Lollobrigida entered the Miss Italia pageant and came in third place, giving her national exposure.
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