Anita Ekberg

 

Kerstin Anita Marianne Ekberg (Swedish pronunciation (listen) 29 September 1931 - 11 January 2015) was a Swedish actress, who was active in American and European films, renowned for her beauty and striking silhouette. She gained notoriety for her role in the role of Sylvia in the Federico Fellini film La Dolce Vita (1960). Ekberg was primarily employed in Italy where she became a permanent residence in the year 1964. Anita Ekberg was the eighth child in a family of eight. Anita was a fashion model during her teens. Ekberg took part in the Miss Malmo competition in 1950 following the advice of her mother. The result was that she won the Miss Sweden contest. Even though she spoke little English she travelled to America to compete in the Miss Universe 1951 title. It was an not an official pageant at the time. The pageant became officially recognized in 1952. Ekberg did not win the title of Miss Universe winner, but she was one of six finalists. However, she did earn an endorsement from Universal Studios as a starlet. Ekberg was a Universal starletin which she learned dance, drama, and elocution. She was briefly seen in The Mississippi Gambler (1953), Abbott and Costello Go to Mars (1953) (playing an actress on Venus), Take Me to Town (1953), and The Golden Blade (1953).