Luigina "Gina" Lollobrigida (Italian pronunciation: [ˈdʒiːna ˌlɔlloˈbriːdʒida]; born 4 July 1927) is an Italian actress, photojournalist and sculptor. She was one of the highest profile European actresses of the 1950s and early 1960s, a period in which she was considered to be an international sex symbol.
As her film career slowed, she established second careers as a photojournalist and sculptor. In the 1970s, she achieved a scoop by gaining access to Fidel Castro for an exclusive interview.
She has continued as an active supporter of Italian and Italian American causes, particularly the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF). In 2008, she received the NIAF Lifetime Achievement Award at the Foundation's Anniversary Gala. In 2013, she sold her jewelry collection, and donated the nearly $5 million from the sale to benefit stem cell therapy research.
Born Luigina Lollobrigida in Subiaco, Italy, she was one of four daughters of a furniture manufacturer and his wife. Her sisters are Giuliana (b. 1924), Maria (b. 1929) and Fernanda (1930–2011). She grew up in a picturesque mountain village. In her youth, Lollobrigida did some modelling, and from that, she participated successfully in several beauty contests. At around this time, she began appearing in Italian films in minor roles.
I'm just an old-fashioned girl, with an old-fashioned
mind
I'm not sophisticated, I'm the plain and simple kind
I want an old-fashioned house with an old-fashioned
fence,
And an old-fashioned millionaire.
I'd like a plain simple car, a Celise Cadillac
Long enough to have a bowling alley in the back
I want an old-fashioned house with an old-fashioned
fence,
And an old-fashioned millionaire.
I'd stay weaving at my loom, be no trouble to my groom
If he'll keep the piles of money mounting
In our cottage there will be a soundproof nursery
Not to wake the baby while I'm counting
I like the old-fashioned flowers, violets are for me
Have them made in diamonds by the man at Tiffany
I want an old-fashioned house with an old-fashioned
fence,
And an old-fashioned millionaire.
I'm just a pilgrim at heart, oh so pure and genteel,
Catch me in Las Vegas when I'm at the spinning wheel
I want an old-fashioned house with an old-fashioned
fence,
And an old-fashioned millionaire.
I'll ask for such simple things when my birthday occurs
Two apartment buildings that are labeled "Hers" and
"Hers"
I want an old-fashioned house with an old-fashioned
fence,
And an old-fashioned millionaire.
I like Chopin and Bizet, and the songs of yesterday
String quartets, and calm Venetian carols
But the music that excels is the sound of oil wells
As they slurp slurp slurp into the barrels
Our little home will be quaint as an old parasol
And instead of carpets I'll have money wall to wall
I want an old-fashioned house with an old-fashioned
fence,