In a world where wonders of all sorts exist, we have been gifted with one whose exquisiteness transcends generations and time itself. We’re speaking of no other than the glorious Sophia Loren, the beauty who just seems to verify, on her own accord, the existence of the divine.

We know we’re being melodramatic by throwing around all the flamboyant words we’ve ever learned in our English class. But honestly, we truly feel that this Italian belle deserves to be spoken of in this manner. Take a look at all these rare photographs, capturing the otherworldly beauty of Sophia Loren through the years to also have your mind blown!

Too Intoxicating To Be Crowned Miss Italy

At only 15 years old, Sophia Loren already aspired to win Miss Italia in 1950. As Candidate #2, the future superstar introduced herself as Sofia Lazzaro. She was chosen as one of the last three contenders but was deemed too provocative to win the grand title. So, she won as Miss Eleganza instead.

When Sophia joined the pageant, it was also the first time that the beauty contest was broadcast live on radio. This was basically her starting point as she enrolled herself in acting classes the following year after the competition. In 2010, Loren came back as one of the Miss Italia judges for its 71st run.

Bombshell On The Set Of A Boy On A Dolphin

Sophia’s wet shirt look on A Boy On A Dolphin is pretty iconic. And so, it’s not surprising that to this day, people still use it as inspiration. Kim Kardashian even paid homage to this look at the 2019 Met Gala by re-inventing it with an extreme corset-cinched waist and droplets made from crystals.

But even though her name still conjures the image of somebody who’s artfully unique ‘til now, she wasn’t always admired and appreciated as the elegant lady we now distinguish her to be. When she was born, her wet nurse thought she was an ugly baby, and she was often called a toothpick by other kids.

 A Bathroom Beauty Snap Of A Star Who Used To Starve

There’s no exact date of when this photo was taken, but what’s known is that Sophia is actually sitting on a toilet in this picture. Her expression and gaze clearly show her strong character, which is what she’s also known for in the showbiz industry.

Loren’s personality was actually carved from her not-so-easy upbringing. As she detailed in her book titled Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow, hunger was a huge issue during her childhood. She lived through the Second World War as a child, and when the conflict ceased, Loren found herself in a country left in squalor and scarcity.

Posing At A Roman Funfair

Although born in Rome, Sophia Loren had actually lived at her grandmother’s home in Pozzuoli. This city was often targeted by the Allies with bombs during World War II. At one particular raid, Sophia got injured in the chin by shrapnel which prompted their family to move to Naples.

In returning to Pozzuoli after the war, Sophia served as a waitress in a bar that their family opened. It was popular among American GIs based nearby. By 1950, Sophia and her mom were set on making money off of acting by going home to Rome, which was where the photo above was taken.

Unwinding On A Boating Trip To Naples

Sophia and Carlo took some time for themselves amidst the vexing situation they were in when this photo was taken by Eisenstaedt, who was able to tag along the couple's boat ride to Naples. What’s funny is that the Marriage Italian-Style star can actually be seen gripping on the railing as if she's holding on for her life.

Loren never loved sailing because Ponti always went so fast. And after only two years of owning the boat, the foxy lady couldn’t even be swayed to hop on anymore. So, they ended up selling it in the end. Perhaps a yacht would’ve suited Sophia’s chill attitude much better.

The Gorgeous Women Of the Loren Family

The two gorgeous ladies that you see photographed together with Sophia Loren is none other than her mother Romilda Villani and her younger sister, Maria. Her mom was a piano teacher, but giving music lessons wasn’t her first love. Like her daughter, she also loved acting.

When she was younger, Romilda looked so similar to the Hollywood star Greta Garbo that she was given the opportunity to go to the US to be her acting double. That could’ve been such a surreal experience if only her passé Italian parents let her. Sadly, they didn’t, so she went on to support her daughter Sophia instead.

Aida, Her First Ever Leading Role

The acting classes Loren took paid off as she soon found herself with a few minor roles in some small-scale projects. She was an uncredited extra on Quo Vadis in 1951 and also played the character of Leonora on La Favorita 1952, among others.

However, what really made industry heads and casting directors take notice of Sophia’s incredible beauty and acting skills was in the film Aida, where she played the title role. When the movie came out in 1953, she was already using the name Sophia Loren as a spin on Märta Torén’s name who was a Swedish celebrity back in the day.

Fit For The Role Of A Real-life Royalty

In 1964, Sophia played the character of Lucilla based on the real-life daughter of the Roman Emperor, Marcus Aurelius. This regal role was what she was playing when the photo above was taken. As it turned out, embodying the role came naturally to her because she actually had some noble blood in her lineage.

Loren’s father was a construction engineer by the name of Riccardo Scicolone, who was born of noble descent. This was why Sophia can also be called Marquess of Licata Scicolone Murillo. It was too bad that he chose to make a bride out of another woman instead of Sophia’s mom and never supported them – even financially.

 All Glamoured Up At Home

This picture of Loren in a black ballgown and elegant jewelry was snapped while she was at home in 1970. She is seen with flowers in her hands which she’s often seen holding as well in many other photos of her. Needless to say, this mesmerizing woman’s beauty has always translated well in pictures.

While looking for opportunities to act in her earlier years, Loren had used her photogenic quality to model for numerous Italian periodicals called fumetti or fotoromanzi, which are basically comic books that use actual photos rather than drawings to tell a story. In that way, she earned cash for her family while reaching for stardom.

Dubbed As A Hollywood Charmer

Perhaps one of the reasons why Sophia became one of Italy’s most famous exports was that she showcased Italian women well: good-looking, clever, and stylish. When this photo of her in a black designer dress was released in June 1957, the NEA press even called her a Hollywood charmer.

In a span of a few years, Sophia had already conquered the world through her craft. Towards the end of the ‘50s, her exposure had already increased enough for the doors of Hollywood to open up for her. In 1958, Paramount Pictures signed her up for a five-film contract which truly solidified her as an internationally-acclaimed movie star.

Capturing The Love Between Sophia Loren & Carlo Ponti

Another big reason for Sophia’s success was the man behind it – the Italian movie producer, Carlo Ponti. The first time they met was through Miss Italia in 1950, where he served as one of the judges. Since then, he had sponsored 37 movies which starred the award-winning Loren.

Carlo was actually the one who had Sophia’s name changed to what she became well-known for worldwide. It was proposed to him by a pal named Goffredo Lombardo who was also a producer. But beyond mentorship, they were also involved in a romantic affair just as she had been with another male superstar.

The Pride and The Passion Rendezvous

Sophia Loren worked on a movie titled The Pride and the Passion directed by Stanley Kramer where he got to act alongside Frank Sinatra and the man above, Cary Grant. This film still shows the two in a warm embrace which emulates what they had behind the scenes during those moments.

Although Loren was 30 years his junior, Grant still let himself fall for her. What was worse was that he was already married then to another woman in the acting industry named Betsy Drake. Their relationship couldn’t really be considered as adultery though since Sophia already had another man whom she loved enough not to let anything happen between her and Grant.

All Smiles At The 19th Cannes Film Festival

Loren and Grant’s age difference was shocking, but so was her and Ponti’s. The two had a 20-year age gap, but that didn’t stop them from being in love with each other. If you refer to the picture, then it’s obvious that the two were happy together with those big smiles.

But why did Sophia choose Carlo over the Hollywood heartthrob that was Cary anyway? Well, no matter how successful she already was at that time, the movie maven couldn’t really see herself fitting into Grant’s big Hollywood life. In Carlo Ponti, Loren had always felt secure and at home. This was another married man we’re talking about!

Taken After The Mexican Proxy Wedding

Carlo Ponti had initially tried to hide his romance with Loren because he was essentially cheating on his wife, Giuliana Fiastri. He married her in 1946 and they had a son and a daughter together. By 1957, however, Carlo finalized his decision to divorce his estranged wife by doing it in Mexico.

The proxy marriage of Sophia and Carlo also happened in Mexico where two male lawyers stood in their place. The photo above shows the newly married couple at the Los Angeles Union Terminal Station while filming Houseboat written by Cary Grant's wife where he starred as the leading man.

Back To Italy In 1961

No matter what anybody thought, in the eyes of the Italian government, Ponti’s proxy wedding and divorce weren’t legitimate. This was because divorce was still prohibited in Italy during that era. The grand producer knew that if he returned to his country, he and Loren could be incarcerated.

Ponti could be indicted with bigamy by the Italian administration while Loren could also be indicted for being his concubine. When they were summoned to face the Italian court in 1960, they denied that they were married. During the time when Sophia was still in the country in 1961, the photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt took the opportunity to capture her beauty.

 

A Nice Day To Have An Italian Picnic

As a professional photographer, Eisenstaedt was fortunate to have snapped many great shots of Sophia and this was among them. Now, if you’re wondering who that child is, it isn’t Sophia’s. Although, she’ll get to have her own soon after her trials and tribulations.

In denying their marriage in front of the Italian court, Ponti and Loren had to have it annulled in 1962. The producer then proceeded to make arrangements with his first spouse, Giuliana. The good thing was that she agreed for them to travel to France – where it was already legal to undergo divorce– and become French citizens.

 

Loren's London Photocall

During all the challenges that she was facing, Sophia was still working hard and keeping up with all of her work commitments. Here she is in London in November 1965 for a photocall. It was simply a formal gathering where photographers were invited to take pictures of one or more celebrities.

Also, in 1965, after their long ordeal, Giuliana Ponti finally divorced Carlo. And a year after, he was finally able to see Sophia in a wedding dress, although they only got married through a civil wedding held in Sèvres. They were also able to become official French citizens after their request was personally approved by then-French President Georges Pompidou.

 Supportive Sister All The Way

Although they were two very different people, Sophia, and her only sister Maria had always been very close. In fact, as Loren shared in her memoir, she was the reason why Maria was finally given their father’s surname legally. The estranged blood relative asked the celeb for money. In return, that was what she asked for.

Because they only had each other apart from their mom, Maria was there as a source of support through everything that the Sunflower star went through and vice versa. Sophia’s sister was actually once married to the musician son of the Italian fascist dictator, Benito Mussolini.

Two Beautiful Angles In One Photo

According to a Tumblr account dedicated to the splendor of Sophia Loren, this photo was taken in 1962. We just love how this highlights Loren’s ethereal beauty on both sides of her face. With such exquisiteness, we’re finding it hard to grasp that she also has insecurities like any other normal person.

In one of her best works, Two Women, Sophia was able to become the 55th Academy Award Best Actress. However, because of her anxiety over losing in front of millions of people or fainting because of joy should she win, she opted to not attend the 34th Annual Academy Awards instead.

Showcasing Her Knack For Comedy As Lady L

One other thing that makes Sophia Loren such a lovable celebrity is her versatility. Aside from making moviegoers cry from a character like a mother on Two Women, she can also go and make them laugh in a different one like her laundress role on Lady L.

This 1965 film was based on the novel written by Romain Gary which told the story of an elderly woman recalling the tale of her life to a biographer, mostly focusing on her love life, during her 80th birthday. It’s quite interesting that Sophia’s currently past that role’s age at 84 years old, and is possibly all set for her retirement planning already!

Making Charlie Chaplin Laugh On The Set Of A Countess from Hong Kong

Another example of Sophia’s charming comedic timing is her 1967 British rom-com film titled A Countess from Hong Kong. How else could anyone say that she wasn't funny when the great comedy genius Charlie Chaplin thought that she was! In fact, he was the director of the film, and he cast Loren himself.

Sophia couldn’t have been more delighted to work with Charlie. And although she felt nervous in meeting him for the first time, the icon was able to put her at ease straight away with flowers and a few jokes. Chaplin's cameo in this movie was his last ever onscreen appearance. We hope to watch this through streaming TV someday.

Oh, This Isn't Sophia. It's Her Number One Rival, Gina!

We apologize if you got confused there for a second, but we just wanted to introduce you to Gina Lollobrigida – Loren’s infamous Italian rival. She's versed in acting, sculpting, and photojournalism. This feminine symbol was also once described as the world’s most beautiful woman.

Loren and Lollobrigida’s career rivalry started when the European press declared that Loren was bustier than Lollobrigida. In 2017, Gina, who turned down Loren’s breakout role on Aida, claimed she never saw Sophia as a rival though, because she was always the No. 1. Currently, the Woman of Rome star is already in retirement while Sophia is still active.

Back Home In her Italian Villa In Rome

We now have Sophia again, and this time, we’ll be talking about her Italian Villa where the photo above was taken from in 1964 by LIFE photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt. The 50-room mansion was what Carlo Ponti promised her after they got married.

The villa is considered as one of the Eternal City’s most stunning and prominent areas and is bordered by a centuries-old park up to this day. However, Loren doesn’t live there anymore. The last we’ve heard, she’s been living in Florida and also has properties in other parts of Rome, Naples, and Switzerland.

Star Sighting At The JFK Airport

When the ‘70s rolled in, motherhood took most of Sophia’s time, and she started to work less with most of her movie roles only in Italian features. But although this was the case, she was still beloved for her talent by international fans, and she was still being nominated for awards from various award-giving bodies.

In 1970, the year that this picture of Sophia was taken at the JFK International Airport in New York, she had become a David di Donatello Best Actress nominee for her role as Giovanna in the full movie, Sunflower. It was the first western film to be shot in the USSR.

Some Fun With A Few Friends At The Alcazar

Hollywood obviously wanted more of Sophia, and it kept reeling her with more accolades for her work. When she starred in A Special Day in 1977, the film got nominated for two Oscars. The following year, Loren added another award in her portfolio which was her fourth World Film Favorite Award from the Golden Globe.

Sophia was also often invited to events in the United States just like when she came to watch a show in San Francisco’s Alcazar Theatre in 1976. She was photographed with fellow-celeb, Shirley Maclaine. Truly, Hollywood admired this star’s brilliance.

Spotted In New York After A 17-Day Jail Time

In May 1982, the world was shocked when entertainment news bannered that Sophia Loren had been imprisoned for tax evasion charges in Italy. She was accused of failing to declare around $180K from 1963 to 1964, and because of that, she served 17 days out of a supposed 30-day sentence.

This did not hamper her stardom, though. People still waited for her to return. But when she was finally spotted in New York at The Pierre Hotel by October, she had visibly lost some weight. It wasn’t until 40 years later that Sophia would be cleared of these tax charges by winning the case.

A Portrait Of Happiness & Courage

Here is a photo of Sophia Loren taken while she was doing poses for a 1986 photoshoot in Los Angeles, California. It’s not clear whether this picture was taken before or after she starred as a Marianna Miraldo in the three-hour CBS TV movie called Courage.

The character she portrayed was based on a real-life New York City woman who decided to work as an undercover agent for the authorities after being troubled by her own son's drug addiction. This portrayal showed a different side of Loren that displayed her versatility as a film artist in a new decade.

At Cannes With The Son Who's Also Into Films

Sophia and Carlo were blessed with two sons who ended up growing up as talented men. The firstborn was Carlo Ponti Jr., who was born in 1968 and is currently an Italian orchestral conductor based in the United States. As for their second child, he’s the one who followed after the footsteps of his parents.

Edoardo Ponti, who is seen on the photo attending the 42nd Cannes Film Festival with his mom, was born in Geneva, Switzerland in 1973. The boy studied to become a filmmaker, and the first project he’s ever worked on was called Between Strangers in 2002. His mother Sophia was part of the cast.

The Iconic Muse At Giorgio Armani's Milan Fashion Show

Sophia Loren flashed a perfect smile as she made her way to watch the 2003 Spring/Summer women's collection of Giorgio Armani during the fashion shows in Milan on September 30, 2002. We’re not even surprised that she’s invited to these sorts of spectacles since she’s a fashion icon herself.

Throughout her almost seven decades in the showbiz industry, she has not just been a splendid film artist, but also a style inspiration for many. She remains fashionable to this day, but during her prime, she often donned simple yet flattering pieces which embraced her curves in all the right places!

Returning To Her Home Town As An Honorary Citizen

After years of not being able to come back to her hometown in Pozzuoli found in the Southern part of Italy, Sophia was finally able to go back home in May 2005. She got to do it when she was invited by then-Mayor of Pious Vincenzo Figliolia and Antonio Bassolino to receive an Honorary Citizen Award.

Her sister Maria and niece Catherina were also there when Sophia was presented with the blue band signifying honorary citizenship from her beloved seaside town. The star couldn’t help but break into tears when it happened. She created a legacy, and her beloved seaside hometown recognized her hard work.

An Italian Legend At A Japanese Awards Ceremony

Donning a gorgeous blue gown paired with chic jewelry just as she’s always had, Sophia accepted her medal at Japan's 22nd Praemium Imperiale Awards Ceremony in 2010. She was recognized for her achievements and the international influence she had on the arts, enriching the global community.

During that day, there were also four other recipients from other realms of art, but Loren was conferred for her contributions in the field of theatre/film. After the ceremony, a cocktail reception followed at Meiji Kinenkan in Japan where Sophia was photographed with Hanae Mori, a Japanese fashion designer.

Sophia Loren's Legacy Lives On At The Bambi Awards

At this point, Sophia Loren is no longer just revered for her physical beauty, but also for the beauty that she radiates in every performance that she’s ever contributed to the world of cinema. No wonder she’s still being acknowledged by award-giving bodies up to this era.

In November 2018, Sophia, who already had nine Bambi trophies, attended the awards ceremony in Berlin, Germany. When Penelope Cruz gave her speech for being the Best International Actress, she turned to the great Italian maven to say that she loves her. Sophia Loren genuinely inspiring artists in various generations is a true testament of her amazing life and career!

An Italian Icon's First Holy Communion

It’s not really difficult to grasp that this sweet angelic face belongs to Sophia Loren, who was born as Sofia Costanza Brigida Villani Scicolone. The Italian film artist was brought up as Catholic, and this black and white childhood photo is just one piece of evidence of her religious upbringing.

Sophia is seen staring straight into the lens, her hands set it a praying position, all while wearing a pristine white dress with a matching veil. This suggests that the picture was taken on a special day for Catholics, which is the day of their First Holy Communion. This photograph is thought to have been snapped in the early ‘40s.