Anita Ekberg

 

Kerstin Anita Marianne Ekberg (Swedish pronunciation (listen) 29 September 1931 11 January 2015) was an Swedish actress, who was active in American and European films, known for her beauty and stunning appearance. Her character as Sylvia, in Federico Fellini's 1960 film La Dolce Vita (1960) has made her a household name. Ekberg mostly worked in Italy and became permanent residents in 1964.Anita Ekberg was born on 29 September 1931 in (Sweden), the sixth child of eight. In her teens, Anita worked as a fashion model. As per the requests of her mother, Ekberg entered Miss Malmo in 1950. She was crowned the Miss Sweden contest. Even though she could speak little English Ekberg travelled to America to compete for the Miss Universe 1951 title. It was an unofficial pageant at the time. The pageant was made official in 1952. Ekberg was not the Miss Universe winner, but she was one of six finalist. She did , however, earn an endorsement from Universal Studios as a starlet. Ekberg was an Universal starlet, where she learned dance, drama, and elocution. She was briefly seen in The Mississippi Gambler (1953), Abbott and Costello (as a woman on Venus), Take Me to Town (1853), and The Golden Blade (1953).