During World War II, Sophia's mother and her sister Anna Maria went to live in Pozzuoli, near Naples, to her maternal grandmother's house. Sofia, lived in Pozzuoli until seventeen.
Sophia's mother, Romilda Villani, made a living by playing the piano in a tavern frequented by American servicemen. At fifteen, she had a spectacular physique and her mother and friends encouraged her to enter beauty contests. In 1949, she won the title of "Princess of the Sea", and in 1950, "Mermaid of the Adriatic". Also in 1950, at the age of 16, she appeared as a candidate for Miss Italy. One of the jury members was Carlo Ponti, a film producer; Carlo Ponti was 37 years old.. Sofia came second in the contest and received the award of "Miss elegance".
With Carlo Ponti's encouragement and protection, Sophia began her acting career in weekly photo novels. He introduced himself as Sophia Villani or Sophia Lazzaro. Meanwhile, in Naples, he delivered himself to the interpretation studio. There he received theatrical training and began playing small roles in Italian films.
Sophia’s career started to take off in 1954 when she met Vittorio De Sica and Marcello Mastroianni
In 1954 a romantic relationship with Ponti began, who until that moment advised and guided him. The following year they started living together, accepting in advance that they could hardly marry in Italy where divorce was forbidden, and he was still legally married and with two children.
In 1957, director Stanley Kramer chose her to star in, with Gary Grant and Frank Sinatra, "Pride and Passion." During filming, Grant set out to win over Sophia. Carlo Ponti, knowing the actor's harassment, decided to accelerate his marriage to Sophia Loren and arranged a wedding with her in Mexico. They got married in September 1957, although that marriage was not valid in Italy, where he was considered a bigamo.
In those years, the actress signed a contract with Paramount Studios. Sophia Loren gained the appreciation and admiration of viewers, especially in Italian films, where she spoke her native language and acted with typical Italian expressiveness.
Starting in the 1960s, I work portraying historical characters, mostly in co-production films. In 1960, her performance in "Two Women," made a defining career turn. Sophia Loren won the Oscar for best actress for her performance in this film.
In the 1961 epic film "The Cid", Sofia Loren starred alongside Charlton Heston and an outstanding cast of actors. The film is about the life of the Castilian warrior Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar. Sofia embodied Doña Jimena, the wife of Cid Campeador.
In 1966, Sofia and Carlo Ponti formalized their French nationality and married in Paris. These circumstances forced them to change their residence and leave Italy.
In the late 1960s, the couple showed their longing to be parents. Thanks to the care of Dr. Watteville, famous gynecologist from Geneva, gave birth to her first male, Carlo, in December 1968 and Eduardo, in January 1973.
In 1972, Sophia Loren worked with Peter O'Toole in "The Man of the Stain," a cinema adaptation of the musical of the same name. In 1976, she starred in "The Bridge of Cassandra" which was a dramatic film. "A Particular Day" was a 1977 film by Italian director Ettore Scola, awarded the Golden Globe award in 1978. Starring alongside Marcelo Masttroianni, Loren received the award for the best leading female role.
Sophia Loren later spaced up her movie appearances, and became full-on in the care of her children. He turned down important roles, both in film and television series.
In 1980, she acted as herself and her mother in the biopic "Sophia Loren" directed by Mel Stuart. His name appeared on covers around the world in 1982 for extra artistic reasons, as he received an 18-day prison sentence for tax evasion.
In 1991, Loren received an Honorary Oscar for his contribution to the film industry. That same year, she was chosen by People magazine as one of the 50 most beautiful people in the world. And in 1999, Loren was inducted by the American Film Institute for 100 Years... AFI's 100 Stars as Number 21 of the 25 Female Legends of American Screen of All Time.
In 2007, Carlo Ponti passed away. Sophia Loren dedicated herself to following her children's work, accepting roles already of lower rank in European cinema, attending galas, writing her memoirs and a few other cookbooks. These days, Sofia Loren divides her time between Switzerland and the city of Los Angeles, where she is close to her children and their families.
