Sophia Loren sets the record straight on Cary Grant affair

Sophia Loren sets the record straight on Cary Grant affair
The legendary Italian actress reveals her biggest regret and sets the record straight on the rumour that Cary Grant proposed to her.

How would you describe your life nowadays living in Switzerland?

My life in Geneva is very quiet. I like to stay home, I like to look at my books, I do a little shopping, I like to walk in the park with my friends. I lead a very simple life, absolutely. Of course, nowadays you don’t know whether you can go out, where you can’t go out. It’s difficult. Mamma mia!

Are you stopped for selfies on your walks?

The selfie. (Laughs) It’s always, “Can I have a selfie? Just one please.” I say yes, but it’s sometimes annoying.

How much TV do you watch at home?

I watch the news, but that’s it. I find out what is happening in the world and it often scares me to death. The news is nothing to laugh at. What is happening in the world is very, very scary.

Before you found fame, were you ever forced to do anything drastic to survive?

Maybe my grandmother did when I was little, but I did not. I was eight years old when war came to Italy and it was a shocking time. There were bombings every night and the buildings were crumbling around us. Even though I was a little girl, I will never forget it. If you had to do something like that to give food to your family, you’d do it.

Have you grown wiser as you’ve gotten older?

I don’t think I’ve ever been wise. I follow my heart so sometimes that turns out well and sometimes it doesn’t (laughs).

What does fame and success mean to you?

I never thought I was going to have fame and success. I took very small steps. When I moved to Rome with my mother, we had no money and nothing to look forward to. I was an extra in many films. And then, little by little, I started to find my way in front of a camera. It was a dream that came true.

What’s your biggest regret?

It’s very hard to say you have no regrets. In life, you always go through so many experiences but I have always tried to live with no regrets. I think I’ve reached a peaceful life. I have everything I ever wanted, which is a wonderful family with beautiful children and beautiful grandchildren. The only thing I regret a little is that I never got married in a white dress. That was the dream of my life, which is still inside me.

Speaking of marriage… Why did you refuse Cary Grant when he proposed?

He didn’t propose to me. We were working together on my first American picture, The Pride and the Passion, along with Frank Sinatra. Cary Grant was a very handsome man. He was a wonderful actor, but he didn’t propose. But we had a very nice relationship, but I was 23 years old and Cary was much, much older than me. When you are 23, your ideas about love are not clear. You don’t know what you’re doing. It was my first American film and many things in my life were happening, but I had also met a man in Italy, Carlo [Ponti], that I fell in love with.

What has life taught you about love?

Love is the basis of our life in every way. What can you do in a life without love? It’s impossible. Love is what everybody’s always looking for. I never could have lived without loving.

Has your view of love changed over the years?

No, love is love with a capital L. It’s there in my heart all of the time.

Well, it’s never too late to walk down the aisle in that white dress…

No, no, no, no. I have children. I have grandchildren. No (laughs). Not now.

Cary Grant and Sophia Loren 1958.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE

Print Recipe

BECOME A MiNDFOOD SUBSCRIBER TODAY

Let us keep you up to date with our weekly MiNDFOOD e-newsletters which include the weekly menu plan, health and news updates or tempt your taste buds with the MiNDFOOD Daily Recipe. 

Member Login