She may have only been the third runner-up for Miss Italy in 1947 but for her career to follow, Gina Lollobrigida was determined to be The Most Beautiful Woman in the World.
The daughter of a furniture manufacturer, Lollobrigida's natural beauty was recognized early in her youth and as a result, she was cast for Italian films like the highly popular Flesh Will Surrender. At this time it was believed that film tycoon Howard Hughes had her flown to Hollywood for a short while. Lollobrigida returned to Italy though and didn't have a real Hollywood breakthrough until the John Huston film Beat the Devil came out in 1953.
As her popularity increased, she was becoming so well known she received nicknames like la Lollo because of her embodiment of Italian beauty. It all led her to being cast for bigger roles and alongside bigger stars. By 1961, she was starring with Rock Hudson in the film Come September, a movie that won the Golden Globe for the World's Film Favorite.
During the next decade, Lollobrigida was only seen in a few films as she took a break from acting and concentrated on her new passion - photography. People she picked for her models included Paul Newman, Salvador Dali and the German national soccer team. Considered to be a skilled photographer, Lollobrigida had her work published in 1973 in a collection entitled Italia Mia.
It wasn't until 1984 when Lollobrigida decided to show her face on American screens again and joined the cast of Falcon Crest. The return was decidedly successful and Lollobrigida once again made the Golden Globe list for her role. In years to follow, she only appeared in a few movies.
By 1999, she became a politician and ran unsuccessfully for one of Italy's 87 European parliamentary seats. Lollobrigida has also worked as a corporate fashion and cosmetic executive.
In 2006 she made headlines again with the decision to marry long-time boyfriend, 45-year-old Barcelona businessman Javier Rigau.