Anita Ekberg

 

Kerstin Aita Marianne (Swedish pronunciation (listen), 29/09/1931 11/01/2015) was a Swedish actress well-known for her stunning beauty and striking silhouette. The role she played as Sylvia, in Federico Federlini's film La Dolce Vita (1960) has made her a household name. Ekberg predominantly worked in Italy which she later made her permanent resident in 1964. Anita Ekberg was the eighth child in a family of eight. In her teens, Anita worked as a fashion model. Ekberg was a participant in the Miss Malmo competition in 1950 on the advice of her mother. She was crowned the Miss Sweden contest. Despite her inability to speak English the contestant traveled to the United States to compete to get the Miss Universe title for 1951. Although it was an informal contest, the official pageant became formalized in 1952. Ekberg did not win the Miss Universe pageant. However she was one of six semi-finalists. Universal Studios offered her the chance to sign a starlet contract. As the starlet at Universal she received training in elocution and drama, dancing, horseback riding and fencing. She was briefly featured in The Mississippi Gambler (1953), Abbott and Costello go to Mars (1953), Take Me to Town (1953) as well as The Golden Blade (53).