Sophia Loren

 Sophia Loren was born as Sofia Scicolone at the Clinica Regina Margherita in Rome on September 20, 1934. Her father Riccardo, who was married to another woman, refused to marry Romilda Villani. Romilda was the mother to his two children Sophia and Maria Scicolone. She grew up in Pozzuoli's in the slums of Italy in the second World War, and was left with a lot of sadness. At 14 she took part in the beauty contest and was chosen as one of the finalists. It was here that Sophia caught the attention of film producer Carlo Ponti, some 22 years older than her, whom she later wed. It is possible that he was the father figure she never had as a young girl. Under his guidance, Sophia was put under contract and appeared as an extra in ten films starting with Le sei mogli di Barbablu (1950), before moving into supporting roles. In these early films she was identified with the title "Sofia Lazzaro" because people thought her beauty could lift Lazzarus from death.