Italy Celebrated Sophia Loren on her 90th Birthday

Rome was the place to be on Friday, September 20th, as legendary Italian actress Sophia Loren, a true icon of Hollywood’s Golden Age, celebrated her 90th birthday.

The occasion saw the Italian culture ministry and Cinecittà film studios host a private party in Loren’s honor. The event, attended by her family and guests from around the globe, served as a testament to the actress’s enduring legacy.

Festivities were not limited to Rome, however. ANSA news agency reported celebrations taking place overseas, including a retrospective of Loren’s illustrious film career at the Academy Museum in Los Angeles, scheduled for November.

Born Sofia Scicolone in Rome in 1934, Loren’s journey to cinematic legend began after her participation in the Miss Italia 1950 beauty pageant, where she finished as a finalist.

It was Italian film producer Carlo Ponti who, recognizing her star potential, changed her name to Sophia Loren, a moniker with undeniable international appeal. Her breakthrough role came in 1954 with Vittorio De Sica’s “The Gold of Naples.”

Loren’s captivating screen presence quickly established her as a leading sex symbol of the 1950s. She starred alongside Marcello Mastroianni in a string of successful films, and shared the screen with Hollywood heavyweights like Cary Grant and Anthony Perkins.

Her unforgettable performance as Cesira in De Sica’s 1961 masterpiece “La Ciociara” (Two Women) earned her the Academy Award for Best Actress, making her the first actor to receive an Oscar for a foreign-language performance.

Over the decades, Loren’s talent continued to garner accolades. She received a record seven David di Donatello Awards for Best Actress, five special Golden Globes, an Honorary Oscar in 1991, and a Visionary Award in 2021.

Married to Carlo Ponti until his passing in 2007, Loren resides in Geneva. She has two sons, Edoardo and Carlo Ponti Jr., who undoubtedly share immense pride in their mother’s extraordinary life and career.