Sophia Loren on Monday led tributes
to Gina Lollobrigida, long her rival for the title of Italy's
sexiest screen bombshell export, who has died at the age of 95.
"I'm deeply shaken and saddened, and above all incredulous at
what has happened," said Loren, 88, after the passing of her
fellow diva and legend.
Talking to ANSA, Loren said that for the moment she had nothing
else to add.
Italian Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano also paid tribute
Lollobrigida after the once 'most beautiful woman in the world'
died in her Rome home.
"Farewell to a screen diva, protagonist of over a half a century
of Italian cinema history. Her allure will remain eternal. Ciao
Lollo", he said.
Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said "she was an Italian icon
for the world".
Culture Undersecretary Lucia Borgonzoni said the ministry would
set up a prize in her honour.
Roberto Marti, chair of the Senate culture committee, said
Lollobrigida "represented Italy in the world".
His counterpart in the House, Federico Mollicone, said "she was
the last diva, and Rome must name a street after her".
Her grand-nephew and farm minister Francesco Lollobrigida said
she was an "peerless icon" while Reform Minister Elisabetta
Casellati said "she was an international star and a determined
woman" while House culture committee member Giovanna Miele said
"she was an immense actress and an intense performer".
Senate Speaker Ignazio la Russa said "she did so much for
Italian cinema and for Italy too".
Veteran singer and former teen idol Rita Pavone said "the whole
world envied us for her" while the Venice Film Fest recalled she
had been "on several occasions a protagonist here" and Rai state
broadcaster top brass Marinella Soldi and Carlo Fuortes said she
was "a generous and versatile actress, capable of many facets
and registers, in her countless collaborations with Cinecittà
and Hollywood directors".
Business and Made in Italy Minister Adolfo Urso said she was "an
ambassador of bravura and class" while MPs Tommaso Foti and
Velantina Grippo said respectively "it's a huge loss for Italian
culture" and "she spread our cinema around the world".
Oscar winning actor Kevin Spacey said in Turin, where he is
picking up a cinema museum award despite a wave of sexual abuse
charges, that "she was a great star, and had an incredible
life".
Veteran TV presenter Pippo Baudo said she was "a great artist,
of extraordinary vitality"
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