A Fateful Meeting
Italian director Carlo Ponti first met a young Sofia Villani Scicolone when she was just 16. He was instantly captivated by her presence, which extended beyond her undeniable beauty.
Transforming a School Girl into a Star
Carlo Ponti, a prominent director and producer in Italian cinema, resolved to make Sofia a star. He introduced her to the world as Sophia Loren, the ultimate screen goddess of Hollywood’s Golden Era.
An Unlikely Love Story
Ponti was 38 years old, 22 years older than Sophia, and already a married man. He had married Giuliana Fiastri in 1946 and they had two children, Guendalina and Alex. Despite the odds, the attraction between Ponti and Sophia was undeniable.
Fighting the Attraction
Sophia’s attraction to Ponti mirrored her mother’s life. Her mother, a beauty herself, had been abandoned by a wealthy man who fathered two children with her but refused to marry her. Determined not to repeat her mother’s mistakes, Sophia initially fought her feelings for Ponti.
Finding a Soulmate
Working closely with Ponti, Sophia realized he was her soulmate. Ponti gave her stability and grounded her in the dizzying world of fame. For Ponti, Sophia was someone remarkable, someone who shone with a special light.
A Rising Star
Ponti managed Sophia’s career, and soon she was mesmerizing audiences worldwide. She starred in films like “Two Nights with Cleopatra” and “The Gold of Naples.” In 1957, her role in “Boy on a Dolphin” made her a universal sex symbol.
The Rival: Cary Grant
During the filming of “The Pride and the Passion,” Sophia met Cary Grant, who fell in love with her. Grant, 53 and recently divorced, proposed to Sophia. Torn between Grant and Ponti, Sophia received daily bouquets and heartfelt letters from Grant, urging her to choose him.
Sophia’s Choice
Surprisingly, Sophia chose Ponti, the man who provided her with security and stability. She revealed that at 23, she wasn’t ready to leave Ponti for Grant. Her decision was final; she turned down even Marlon Brando during the filming of “A Countess from Hong Kong.”
Marriage to Carlo Ponti
In 1966, Ponti and Sophia found a way to marry by becoming French citizens. Ponti obtained a divorce from Giuliana in France, and in April 1966, he married Sophia. In 1968, they welcomed their first child, Carlo Ponti Jr., followed by a second son, Edoardo, five years later.
A Lifetime of Love
Until Ponti’s death in 2007 at the age of 94, he and Sophia were inseparable. Ponti watched proudly as Sophia became an actress of undeniable talent, winning an Oscar for Best Actress for “Two Women” in 1962. Today, at 85, Sophia looks back on her life and love story with Ponti with no regrets, confident in her decision to choose the path that led to her personal happiness.
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