Born Sofia Scicolone on September 20, 1934 and raised in poverty, Sophia Loren's teen years were spent entering beauty contests, modelling and appearing as an extra in films. At 15 she caught the eye of Italian producer Carlo Ponti, who was one of the judges in a beauty contest she entered. He signed her to a film contract and cast her in small roles. By 1954 she was a major star in Italy and eventually began to be much in demand in Hollywood. However, since the 1960s all of her American films have been made outside of the USA.

She was the woman who had everything and was the envy of just about every woman in the world. By the mid-1960s she had four luxurious homes, US$2,000,000 in jewellery, the treasures of Marino and dozens of Dior gowns.

She married film producer, Carlo Ponti and when she had her first child after 3 miscarriages she became so engrossed in motherhood, it was thought she would never make another film. She named her son Carlo Junior.

Last updated: June 01, 2003

Sixties Central, Copyright 1998-2003 by Mandy Hoeymakers.
Information may be reproduced for non-commercial purposes if attribution is given.