Cinema icon Gina Lollobrigida has died

Italian news agency ANSA announced on Monday that the actress had passed away. She was 95.

Lollobrigida was not only a major Italian star, she also became internationally famous as a sex icon. Her film titles say it all: "Wife for a Night," "The Unfaithfuls," "The Wayward Wife," "Beautiful But Dangerous" — these are all titles from the 1950s, linked by a clear theme. 

That same theme continued well into the 1960s: "Go Naked in the World," "Strange Bedfellows," "Pleasant Nights," "The Sultans," "Imperial Venus" and "Curious Way to Love."

'La Lollo' marketed for eroticism

Admittedly, the original Italian names of some of these highly eroticized film titles sound rather harmless in comparison. Film distributors throughout the world tried to draw attention to the attractive actress' sex appeal — even if the actual films didn't have much to do with sex.

And it worked. Lollobrigida became one of the most sought-after sex symbols of her era. While the US was busy promoting the likes of Jayne Mansfield and Marilyn Monroe, Europe responded with Lollobrigida and, later on, Sophia Loren and Brigitte Bardot.

And while the respective film industries on either side of the Atlantic were competing to crown an unparalleled beauty, Lollobrigida saw her own rivalry heating up with Loren.

The two divas of the silver screen were in fierce competition, along with all the other European belles, to be unofficially crowned as Europe's most erotic female film star. The winner is still up for much debate.

Born to be famous

Born on July 4, 1927, just outside Rome, Lollobrigida began competing in beauty pageants at the tender age of 3. The camera loved her outstanding beauty — and she clearly loved the camera.

It was through these pageants that Italian film directors first took notice, when she was in her teens. Following numerous performances as an extra, "La Lollo" was cast in minor and increasingly larger film roles as she became an adult.

Her first major roles came in 1952, starring opposite French screen hero Gerard Philipe in "Fan-Fan the Tulip" and "Beauties of the Night."

Lollobrigida's fame grew steadily as she enchanted moviegoers across Europe with her Italian temperament, her boundless sensuality and her impressive figure, which was only emphasized by the work of canny seamstresses altering her outfits to highlight her assets. 

Breakthrough role

The gorgeous Mediterranean brunette certainly had a knack for making the hearts of men skip a beat.

This did not go unnoticed in Hollywood, where Lollobrigida launched a successful career just a few years later. Her breakthrough came in 1956 with a pan-European production opposite Anthony Quinn in "The Hunchback of Notre Dame."

Despite her widespread popularity, "La Lollo" never managed to win an Academy Award. Though many other famous actresses over the years have shared a similar fate, it may just have been due to her reputation with regard to her acting ability. 

Film producer Carlo Ponti allegedly once said that she was, at best, a "mediocre" actress. Whether or not he was right in that assessment is in the eye of the beholder.

With or without the coveted award, Lollobrigida's career continued to reach ever greater heights. In the 1960s, she starred in one movie after the next. While arthouse films were beginning to carve out their share of the market during that decade, she continued to see herself first and foremost as an actress in popcorn flicks. However, her fame could only go so far, and the nature of cinema was changing rapidly.

But instead of trying to push the envelope, she also wanted to focus on things that were important to her. She turned her attention to photography, and later sculpture, finding success in both.

On her 95th birthday on July 4. 2022, Lollobrigida told ANSA that she was determined to stay creative with the photography and art projects she turned to after her decades as a sex symbol.

But she didn't turn her back on show business altogether. A few minor roles in the 1970s and '80s aside, she remained true to her original calling by working as jury president at film festivals — first in Toronto and later at the Berlinale in Germany as well.

Diva-like behavior

The 1986 Berlinale, however, did not exactly run smoothly for Lollobrigida. As head of the jury, she caused a major stir when she rejected the majority pick for best picture.

"Stammheim," directed by German filmmaker Reinhard Hauff, was clearly not her cup of tea. The courtroom drama took a closer look at the legal proceedings behind the trials of the Red Army Faction (RAF), a group of radical left German terrorists held responsible for the murder of 33 people during the 1970s. The film clearly went against Lollobrigida's ideas of what constitutes a good film, and she didn't hold back in letting the press know about it.

Her choice to distance herself from the jury's vote was seen as unprofessional, but in hindsight appears to be a testament to her trademark confidence that had taken her so far in life.

Lollobrigida managed to weather the controversy and was still recognized as "the" Italian diva long after.

'Right to live and die in peace'

Despite her increasing physical and mental fragility in recent years, La Lollo attempted to stand for parliament in the general election held in Italy on September 25, 2022, which was won by the right-wing party of Giorgia Meloni. Her grandnephew, Francesco Lollobrigida, became the farm and food sovereignty minister for the winning party.

She last appeared in public on November 21, 2022, on a popular Italian TV show, tearing up as she discussed her ongoing legal dispute over her estate with her son and grandson. "I have a right to live and die in peace," she said.

This article was originally written in German on the occasion of Gina Lollobrigida's 90th birthday and has been updated with information from Reuters, dpa and ANSA.