Profile Of Monica Vitti, Italy's Most Loved Actress Who Dies At The Age Of 90

Monica Vitti (Photo: ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Actress Monica Vitti, one of the most beloved stars of achievement who became a highlight in the golden era of Italian cinema in the mid-20th century has passed away, on Tuesday, February 1, at the age of 90 years. Her departure was announced on Twitter by filmmaker Walter Veltroni who got the news from Vitti's husband, Roberto Russo.

Quoted from Reuters, Thursday, February 3, media in Italy said Vitti breathed her last due to complications from Alzheimer's disease, which she had suffered for more than a decade.

Prime Minister Mario Draghi called the actress "a woman of great talent who conquered generations in Italy with her passion, talent, and beauty. She gave light to Italian cinema in the world".

"A great actress is gone", said her 87-year-old partner Sophia Loren. "His death was a huge loss not just for cinema, but for all of us."

Quoted from ANTARA, Vitti became famous abroad in 1960 when he was still in his 20s through the lead role in "L'Avventura (The Adventure)" directed by Michelangelo Antonioni.

Made in black and white with minimal dialogue, long breaks, and lots of close-ups of Vitti, the film tells the story of love, jealousy, boredom, and betrayal in a group of wealthy friends on a boat trip around the Aeolian islands.

The film won at the Cannes festival in 1960 and Monica Vitti won a Golden Globe the following year for "Best Breakthrough Actress".

She then co-starred with famous Italian actors, including Marcello Mastroianni, Alberto Sordi, and Vittorio Gassman, as well as foreign actors such as Michael Caine, Alain Delon, and Dirk Bogarde.

Born Maria Luisa Ceciarelli in Rome in 1930, she went through World War II as a teenager, graduated from the National Academy of Dramatic Arts, and started getting offers for roles.

Vitti landed several comedic roles before meeting Antonioni and joining the theater company Teatro Nuovo in Milan before starring in the film "L'Avventura".

In the 1970s, he starred in many romantic comedies with directors such as Ettore Scola. Vitti won the best actress with the David di Donatello award for "Polvere di Stelle (Stardust)" in 1974.

In 1990, she tried to sit on the director's bench, but the film was not successful. Before falling ill, Monica Vitti appeared on screen and ended up spending her last days at home, being cared for by her husband.