Anita Ekberg

 

Kerstin Anita Marianne Ekberg (Swedish pronunciation (listen) 29 September 1931 11 January 2015) was a Swedish actress in American and European films, known for her beautiful and stunning figure. She gained notoriety for her iconic role as Sylvia in the Federico Fellini film La Dolce Vita (1960). Ekberg worked primarily in Italy and became permanent residence in 1964.Anita Ekberg was born on 29 September 1931, in (Sweden) she was the eighth child in a family of eight. In her teens, Anita worked as a fashion model. In response to the wishes of her mother Ekberg participated in Miss Malmo in 1950. The contest was won by her in the Miss Sweden contest. Despite speaking very little English, she went to the United States to compete for the 1951 Miss Universe title (an unofficial pageant in that period, the pageant officially became official in 1952). Although Ekberg didn't win the Miss Universe pageant, as one of the six finalists, she did get a starlet's contract with Universal Studios. As an actress at Universal she received training in drama, elocution, horseback riding, dancing and fencing. She was briefly seen in The Mississippi Gambler (1953), Abbott and Costello Go to Mars (1953) (playing an actress in Venus), Take Me to Town (1953), and The Golden Blade (1953).