The Tragic Death Of Gina Lollobrigida

Gina Lollobrigida has died age 95. The news agency ANSA and RSIO state media were the first to report the sad news, according to CNN. Gina's grandnephew, Franceso Lollobrigida, who is the Italian Minister of Agriculture, announced her passing via Twitter. The Italian actress was one of the shining lights — and sirens — of 1950s and '60s cinema, along with Sophia Loren. Gina's passing leaves Loren as the last surviving superstar of the Golden Age of Hollywood Cinema.

Per Britannica, Gina, who was born Luigina Lollobrigida in 1920s Italy, initially trained as a sculptor and artist before turning to the world of modeling and becoming a top beauty queen. She transferred her "earthy sexuality" to the big screen in 1946, with a bit part in "The Black Eagle." However, it was starring alongside Humphrey Bogart in John Houston's classic, "Beat The Devil," that shot her to international stardom.

During her storied career, Gina starred in numerous box office hits, including "Beautiful but Dangerous," "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," and "Come September" with Rock Hudson. Francesco hailed his great-aunt as "one of the brightest stars of Italian cinematography and culture."

"Today #GinaLollobrigida has disappeared, one of the brightest stars of Italian cinematography and culture," her grandnephew Franceso Lollobrigida tweeted. "Incomparable champion, icon of beauty and versatility, extraordinary woman and professional. She will continue to live on and inspire through her works." The news was met with an outpouring of grief. "Italian cinema mourns #GinaLollobrigida artists never die. Hi Lollo," one fan wrote, referring to her Italian nickname. "Ciao Gina. The last diva goes with you. R.I.P.," director Giulio Base added.

The media often pitted Sophia Loren and Gina against each other as rivals. However, the fellow screen legend was one of the first to release a statement (via Yahoo!) about her friend's death. Loren announced that she was "deeply shaken and saddened" by the tragic news.

Gina began her movie career shortly after the end of World War II. As NPR notes, she fit perfectly into the Italian ideal of a big screen star being "buxom and brunette" beauty. Perhaps that's why Gina preferred to be called as actress, shirking the modern, gender-neutral use of actor. In 1954, Time likened Gina to a "goddess," and following the release of her movie, "Beautiful but Dangerous," she was dubbed "the most beautiful woman in the world." With her earthy looks and "tossed salad" hairdo, Gina's looks defined and influenced a generation. In fact, per Rare Seeds, there is even a curly lettuce, the "Lollo," that's named in her honor. Gina leaves behind a son, Milko Skofic Jr., from her 22-year marriage to director Milko Skofic.