Anita Ekberg, the radiant Swedish actress who became a striking presence during cinema’s golden era, remains an enduring symbol of glamour and screen magnetism.
Born on September 29, 1931, in Malmö, Sweden, she brought to film a captivating mix of elegance, confidence, and mystery that set her apart from her contemporaries.
As a teenager, Ekberg worked as a fashion model. Encouraged by her mother, she entered the Miss Malmö pageant in 1950, a step that led her to compete in — and ultimately win — the Miss Sweden title.
Although she spoke only limited English at the time, Ekberg traveled to the United States to compete in the 1951 Miss Universe pageant. While she did not take the crown, finishing among the six finalists brought her significant attention and secured her a young actress’s contract with Universal Studios.
Her striking figure and headline-making personal life — including widely reported romances with prominent Hollywood stars — made her a frequent subject of gossip publications such as Confidential. By the mid-1950s, she had become one of the era’s most recognizable pin-up figures, regularly appearing in men’s magazines, including Playboy.
Additionally, Ekberg participated in publicity stunts. She once admitted that an incident in which her dress burst open in the lobby of London’s Berkeley Hotel was prearranged with a photographer.
Ekberg’s ascent to stardom was marked by an undeniable charisma and a commitment to her craft that set her apart.
Ekberg reached the height of her fame with her role in Federico Fellini’s acclaimed film La Dolce Vita (1960).
Playing Sylvia, the mesmerizing actress who steps into Rome’s Trevi Fountain in one of cinema’s most unforgettable scenes, she secured her place as a lasting image of bold glamour and spirited charm.
Beyond that legendary sequence, Ekberg built a body of work that crossed multiple genres, demonstrating range and capability well beyond her most famous moment.
Her appearances in War and Peace (1956) and Hollywood or Bust (1956) highlighted her capacity to shift effortlessly between serious drama and lighthearted comedy.
With each role, she revealed a versatility that impressed both moviegoers and reviewers, reinforcing her reputation as a performer of genuine range.
She later reflected that, after the success of La Dolce Vita, her career began to feel repetitive. According to her, filmmakers in Italy, England, and the United States repeatedly offered her variations of the same part — the glamorous American actress arriving in Europe — leaving her eager for something different.
Although Anita Ekberg mesmerized audiences on screen and secured her place in film history, her life away from the camera drew equal fascination, filled with romance, personal highs, and eventual heartache.
In 1956, she married British actor Anthony Steel in a union that quickly attracted widespread media attention. The glamorous pairing captured the imagination of fans, embodying the mystique of a classic Hollywood love story.
Despite the initial excitement surrounding their relationship, the marriage encountered difficulties and ended in divorce in 1959.
She later wed actor Rik Van Nutter in 1963, a marriage that endured for over a decade before concluding in 1975.
In a 2006 interview, she shared that she regretted not having children, though only months later she expressed a different perspective on the subject.
Among the great loves of her life was Italian industrial magnate Gianni Agnelli, head of the Fiat empire. Their relationship lasted several years, even though he was married at the time.
Ekberg was known for speaking her mind in interviews, at times openly naming well-known figures she claimed she “couldn’t stand.”
She also maintained that her fame was not solely the result of working with Federico Fellini. In a 1999 interview with The New York Times, she challenged the popular narrative, remarking that people preferred to say Fellini had made her famous, when in her view the success of La Dolce Vita was just as much connected to her presence.
Anita Ekberg passed away on January 11, 2015, at the age of 83. She died at the San Raffaele clinic in Rocca di Papa, in the Roman Castles area of Italy, due to complications related to long-term health issues.
In the years leading up to her death, she had relied on a wheelchair after suffering a hip fracture caused by an accident in which one of her pet Great Danes knocked her down.
Looking back, Anita Ekberg’s journey in both life and film reflects the resilience and determination of a woman who shaped her own legend and secured her place as a lasting cultural icon.
Her contributions to cinema, her unwavering dedication to her craft, and her enduring appeal make her a revered figure in the tapestry of film history.
(Photo credit: Pinterest / Wikimedia Commons).
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