It might be hard to believe now, but there was a time early in Sophia Loren’s career when she was advised to lose weight and change her nose. At that time, Loren was a young beauty-contest winner from the small Italian town of Pozzuoli, with no significant movie experience or influence. Despite this, she had a strong sense of self and refused to conform to these demands.

Loren never regretted her decisions, including keeping her natural nose. She expressed her contentment with her appearance, stating, “It was an interesting nose, which is why I still have never changed it.” This confidence in her natural beauty persisted throughout her career, which began with a minor role in the 1951 film “Quo Vadis” and spans to her recent work in “La vita davanti a sé” (“The Life Ahead”), directed by her son, Edoardo Ponti.

In “The Life Ahead,” Loren plays Madame Rosa, a Holocaust survivor leading a non-traditional family. This role marks her first feature film in a decade and showcases her enduring dedication to her craft. Loren explained that acting is integral to her life, allowing her to explore and express a wide range of emotions and experiences.

Born Sofia Villani Scicolone in 1934, Loren’s early life was marked by poverty and hardship, living with her mother and grandparents in a crowded home. Despite these challenges, her natural beauty blossomed by the age of 14, leading to her first starring role in “Aida” in 1953 and subsequent Hollywood roles alongside stars like Cary Grant and Frank Sinatra.

Loren’s portrayal of a mother in war-torn Rome in “Two Women” (1960) brought her international acclaim and an Academy Award, making her the first performer to win an Oscar for a foreign-language film. She received another Oscar nomination in 1965 for “Marriage Italian Style” and an Honorary Oscar in 1991 for her enduring contributions to cinema.

Throughout her career, Loren maintained her principles and authenticity, reflecting on the importance of hard work, luck, and embracing life’s changes. Married to Italian film producer Carlo Ponti for 50 years until his death in 2007, Loren balanced her personal and professional life, raising two sons who followed creative paths.

At 85, Loren continues to thrive, touring and engaging with audiences, and preparing for the release of “The Life Ahead.” Her enduring passion for acting and her unwavering sense of self serve as inspirations, reminding us to stay true to who we are and to embrace opportunities with confidence and authenticity.