The great Sophia Loren is not only a real icon of Italian and world cinema, but also an example of an ideal wife: loving, forgiving, giving all her free time to her husband and children. Carlo Ponti was everything to her: a pass to the alluring world of cinema, support in difficult times, the best companion and a gentle lover.
Sophie and Carlo: life before the fateful meeting
Sophia Shikolone's childhood was not very happy. She grew up without a father, was shy, withdrawn, very insecure. The family lived practically in poverty, while the girl's mother always dreamed of wealth. And Sofia was appointed a pass to a happy life - after going through an angular adolescence, she blossomed and became a real beauty. The further path was predictable for an ambitious pretty and poorly educated girl: beauty contests, dubious proposals from little-known directors, roles in low-budget films that I wanted to forget about as soon as possible. But the girl was lucky - Carlo met on her way.
Señor Ponti spent his childhood more prosperously, he was born into a well-to-do family of lawyers. After graduating from university, the young man got a job in a family firm, where he proved to be smart, quick-witted, able to make money. As befits a real Milanese, Carlo was distinguished by his entrepreneurial spirit. He quickly changed his legal path to the tempting and lucrative world of cinema. He took up production and opened several new stars, including Gina Lollobrigida. Well, the next find was eighteen-year-old Sophie, just starting her acting career.
Love and career
The future star and promising producer met at a beauty contest. Sofia took second place, but, as it turned out later, pulled out her main lucky ticket. Fascinated by the girl's appearance and immediate charm, Ponti invited her to the studio. There was no suitable picture for an actress without experience, but Sophie firmly believed in her star, spending hours in the producer's reception. By that time, she starred in only a few films with an erotic bias, she did not have to be proud of such roles. Later, Ponti bought these tapes so that they would not spoil the star's reputation.
Patience was crowned with success - the twenty-year-old starlet got the main role with the film "The Gold of Naples". Ponti realized that he was right, entrusting the picture to her: the girl turned out to be surprisingly photogenic and literally fascinated the audience. Sofia tried her best - she got her chance and was not going to miss it.
In the process of filming, Carlo fell in love with an aspiring actress and was able to evoke a mutual feeling in her. The twenty-year age difference did not become an obstacle. Ponty became everything for Lauren - the most devoted admirer, gentle lover and mentor, whom she so lacked. Mutual passion was no secret for the troupe and staff, and the actors and directors could not say for sure which of the couple was more in love. Carlo was not handsome, especially against the background of Sophie: short stature, stocky figure, the appearance of a typical "northerner from the working-class outskirts." However, he had a lot of charm; upon close acquaintance, Ponti could charm any woman.
In 1955, Sofia left for Hollywood, being on the wave of success. In Italy, she has already eclipsed all the main stars and became a real sensation. The cinematic capital of the world greeted Lauren with an ovation, but the girl was still sad, because Carlo remained in Italy. Life was complicated by the fact that the producer was married and had two sons. Sophie herself dreamed of this, but she could not get it yet.
Difficulties in family life
Carlo could not get a divorce - the Catholic Church did not approve of this. Yes, and looked askance at adultery - soon the names of the lovers were anathema, religious leaders called on parishioners to boycott films with the participation of Sophia Loren. The couple married in Mexico, but it was soon invalidated. A few years later, first Sophia, and then Carlo, adopted French citizenship, after which Ponti was able to divorce his first wife. In 1966, the long-suffering couple finally officially registered their relationship. All those invited to the wedding noted that they had never seen such a happy bride.
Ponty and Lauren's professional careers developed, but there was a problem that prevented them from fully enjoying happiness. Sofia passionately dreamed of children, but the long-awaited pregnancy did not come. This was followed by several miscarriages, each actress was going through very hard. And then a miracle happened - after spending almost all the time in bed, Sofia was able to endure the long-awaited son. Carlo Jr. was born, which the doctors considered a real miracle.
Despite the protests of doctors and fears of her husband, Sophie did not stop there - 4 years later, Eduardo was born. Now Lauren was truly happy and spent her leisure time only surrounded by "her three men." The kids were also present on the set, playing several small episodes. The boys were very close with their parents, growing up, they also chose creative professions. Carlo became a conductor, and Eduardo chose the path of director and even filmed his mother in one of his films.
The family life of Sofia and Carlo was almost cloudless, neither he nor she was involved in scandals or suspected of infidelity. The death of Ponti became a real tragedy for the actress, but thanks to the support of her sons, she was able to survive it and return to an active life. Carlo passed away in 2007, just before his golden wedding.
