© Getty Images

A living legend -

Sophia Loren, a prominent figure in Italian cinema, is often regarded as the leading diva. Much like Marilyn Monroe and Brigitte Bardot, she has achieved international fame.

© Getty Images

Persistence -

However, the Italian beauty faced challenges in reaching Hollywood audiences.

© Getty Images

Origins -

Loren was born into a modest family and raised in Naples. Her mother was a piano teacher, and her father worked as an engineer.

© Getty Images

Miss Italia -

In 1950, at the age of 16, Sophia Loren relocated to Rome to participate in the Miss Italia beauty contest. She secured second position as the judges found her "too sexy" for the prevailing aesthetic standards of that era.

© Getty Images

Surprised -

Loren is shown relaxing while in her flat in Rome.

© Getty Images

Controversy -

Loren was involved in several scandals before she gained worldwide fame. One of these scandals revolved around her relationship with producer Carlo Ponti, who was already married and 20 years older than Loren.

© Getty Images

The wedding -

Since divorce was unacceptable back then, the couple kept their relationship a secret. Only in 1966 did they get married, but they were together until Ponti passed away in 2007.

© Getty Images

Children -

The couple had two sons named Edoardo Ponti and Carlo Ponti Jr.

© Getty Images

Cleopatra -

Sophia Loren starred in her first major role in 'Two Nights with Cleopatra' (1954), directed by Mario Mattoli. The film features her as the renowned Egyptian queen.

© BrunoPress

Global achievement -

The diva gained media attention after securing a deal with Paramount Pictures in 1958 for five films.

© Getty Images

The first Oscar -

Despite already being well-known in Hollywood, her breakthrough award came with the film 'Two Women' (1960). She won the Academy Award for Best Actress, becoming the first actress to win an Oscar for a non-English movie.

© Getty Images

Famed leading men -

Loren worked with the top leading men of her era. This was true for 1961's 'El Cid,' in which she starred alongside Charlton Heston.

© BrunoPress

Suitors -

In her memoir, the actress disclosed that the renowned actor Cary Grant proposed marriage to her. The two had worked together on the film 'The Pride and the Passion' (1957, pictured). Richard Burton, who was wedded to Elizabeth Taylor, was also rumored to be an admirer of Sophia Loren, as he regularly sent her letters.

© BrunoPress

At the peak of her success -

In 1964, Loren achieved the height of her professional success through her performance in 'The Fall of the Roman Empire,' earning a substantial US$1 million.

© BrunoPress

Globetrotter -

Sophia Loren appeared in numerous international films such as 'Arabesque' (1966), alongside Gregory Peck, which was shot in England and Wales.

© Getty Images

More fun in England -

In 1959, the actress is photographed alongside British star Peter Sellers. Peter Sellers, the renowned comedian known for his role in 'The Pink Panther,' collaborated with Loren in 'The Millionairess' (1960), a film also filmed in England.

© Getty Images

Comedian -

In the film 'Marriage Italian Style' (1964), the actress acted alongside Marcello Mastroianni, a close friend and colleague. Additionally, she received an Oscar nomination for Best Actress for her performance in the comedy.

© BrunoPress

Scandal -

Once again, Loren ended up on the front pages of newspapers. This time it was for a 1974 case involving tax evasion and, as a result, she spent 17 days in an Italian prison in 1982.

© Getty Images

The second Oscar -

She received the Academy's Honorary Oscar in 1991.

© BrunoPress

Movie legend -

In 1999, the American Film Institute recognized Sophia Loren as one of Classic Hollywood's top 25 female stars.

© Getty Images

Awards -

In 2001, the actress was honored with the Special Grand Prix of the Americas Award at the Montreal Film Festival for her illustrious career.

© Getty Images

A return to Hollywood -

Sophia Loren returned to Hollywood for the 2009 musical 'Nine,' which also featured stars like Nicole Kidman, Kate Hudson, and Penélope Cruz. 

© BrunoPress

Recent projects -

In 2014, Sophia Loren appeared in the short film 'Human Voice,' directed by her son Edoardo Ponti.

© BrunoPress

Motherly love -

'Human Voice' premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2014. Edoardo Ponti and his mother share a strong personal bond, often spending ample time together outside their professional lives.

© Getty Images

Beauty -

As the decades have gone by, Sophia Loren hasn't lost her prominent beauty. At first, she was considered a bombshell. Nowadays, she's an icon of elegance and classic beauty all over the world.

© Getty Images

Author -

Sophia Loren, on her 80th birthday, published her most recent book entitled 'Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow: My Life.'

© Getty Images

Still influential -

The actress is widely recognized for her iconic style. At the age of 81, she collaborated with Dolce&Gabbana to release her lipstick collection.

© Getty Images

Vulnerable superstar? -

In 2015, media started reporting on Loren's heart issues and arthritis battles.

© Getty Images

Health -

Some sources have said that Loren hasn't been focusing as much on her appearance as of late, this due to her health issues.

See also: How cinema's finest actors have aged. 

© Getty Images