Born Monica Anna Maria Bellucci on September 30, 1964 in Città di Castello, in the Central Italian region of Umbria, Monica Bellucci is the only child of Brunella and Pasquale.
Monica Bellucci’s stunning beauty has graced the covers of numerous prestigious magazines, including Elle, Vanity Fair, Maxim, Esquire, and GQ. Her timeless beauty has consistently earned her a spot on lists of the world’s most beautiful women, recognized by various media outlets.
In her career, Monica Bellucci took on bold and controversial roles, notably in Irreversible (2002), where she was part of a film that included a graphic and lengthy rape scene – a total of over 9 minutes!
She also ventured into the sci-fi world, portraying Persephone in The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions, both released in 2003.
In a significant religious role, she portrayed Mary Magdalene in the 2004 biblical drama film, The Passion of the Christ, which was directed, produced, and co-written by Mel Gibson.
These roles prove just how versatile an actress Monica Bellucci is.
Her remarkable achievements extend beyond the screen, as she was honored with the knight insignias of the Order of Arts and Letters in 2006 and the Legion of Honour in 2016 by France.
Monica Bellucci’s contributions to the film industry have been celebrated with her permanent membership in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Her influence and talents still brightly illuminate both the world of cinema and the appreciation of her cultural contributions.
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12 Fascinating Facts About Monica Bellucci
Are you ready for more fascinating facts about Monica Bellucci? Jump in!
1. Monica Bellucci was a shy girl
When she was a young girl, Monica Bellucci used to be incredibly shy – absurdly so, in her own words. She surmises that her shyness might have stemmed from being an only child.
2. She started modeling at the age of 13
Monica Bellucci started modeling when she was 13 by posing for a local photo enthusiast. Her journey began when he spotted her potential and encouraged her to dive into the world of modeling.
Piero Montanucci, a hairstylist from Città di Castello, first crossed paths with the young Monica Bellucci when she was hitchhiking. He saw something special in her and convinced her to become his model.
Even as a young girl, Bellucci’s striking beauty didn’t go unnoticed, turning heads wherever she went.
However, her journey into the world of modeling truly began when a family friend, who happened to be the director of a fashion agency, offered her opportunities for fashion shoots at the young age of 16.
It’s a classic tale of talent meeting opportunity and taking the fashion world by storm!
3. She was a law student when she decided to pursue professional modeling in Milan
Monica Bellucci began her professional modeling career while she was studying law at the University of Perugia. In 1988, modeling opportunities led her to make a pivotal decision – she dropped out of university to pursue her modeling career.
Bellucci made the bold move to Milan, a city renowned as one of the fashion capitals of the world. There, she found her place with Elite Model Management, a prestigious agency with an excellent reputation in the fashion industry.
This marked the start of her exciting adventure in the world of fashion and modeling.
4. She was a muse for some of the biggest names in fashion, including Dolce & Gabbana
Monica Bellucci soon became a successful and sought-after model, working for famous brands like Dolce & Gabbana, Dior, Cartier, and more.
She appeared on the world’s top magazine covers and has also posed for various lingerie brands.
Indeed, Monica Bellucci enjoyed a stellar modeling career since she first started and before she turned her focus into acting.
5. She made her film debut in the Italian comedy La Riffa
Monica Bellucci made her film debut in 1991, in the Italian comedy-drama La Riffa. The movie is about the beautiful and wealthy Francesca, who discovers her husband’s infidelity and debts.
Francesca comes up with a unique solution to pay off the debts – she arranges a raffle (“riffa“) where the grand prize is none other than herself. However, things take a twist when she finds herself falling for a young man with ulterior motives.
La Riffa explores the themes of love, money, and morality. It was released on November 15, 1991 in Italy.
Bellucci plays the role of Francesca. She was 27 years old at the time of filming and had already worked as a model and also appeared in some TV shows.
La Riffa was Bellucci’s first feature film and marked the beginning of her illustrious acting career.
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6. The French movie The Apartment catapulted her to stardom
Although she was already enjoying huge success as a fashion model, Monica Bellucci decided to try her hands at acting in 1990.
In 1992, an opportunity to showcase her talent on the global stage came with Francis Ford Coppola’s Bram Stoker’s Dracula, where the Italian actress played one of Dracula’s brides. However, it was her role in the 1996 French thriller The Apartment that catapulted her to stardom.
In The Apartment, Monica Bellucci portrayed the role of Lisa, a mysterious woman who becomes the obsession of a man who thinks she is his ex-lover.
The film was both a critical and commercial success, winning several awards, including the BAFTA Award for Best Film Not in the English Language.
7. She is the oldest Bond girl in history
In 2015, a significant moment occurred in the James Bond film series when Monica Bellucci, aged 50, took on the role of a Bond girl in Spectre.
This groundbreaking choice made her the oldest Bond girl in the history of the iconic 007 franchise, expanding the possibilities of what Bond girls could represent.
In Spectre, Bellucci appeared alongside the iconic Daniel Craig, who returned as James Bond. Her performance didn’t just challenge age stereotypes but also brought a distinct and mature perspective to the Bond franchise.
8. Monica Belluci was married twice
Monica Bellucci’s personal life took an early turn toward marriage when she tied the knot with Italian photographer Claudio Carlos Basso at the tender age of 20 in 1984. However, this union proved to be short-lived, as the couple went their separate ways, finalizing their divorce a mere six months after exchanging vows.
Her second husband was French actor Vincent Cassel, whom she met in 1995, on the set of the film The Apartment. In August 1999, Bellucci and Cassel decided to exchange vows in a Monaco wedding and started a family.
Cassel and Bellucci’s marriage was a truly international one, reflecting the global nature of their careers. They called various countries home, including Italy, France, Brazil, and England, likely due to the demands of their work in the film industry.
In 2013, after 14 years of marriage, the couple made the difficult decision to part ways, officially ending their marriage. Following their divorce, both Bellucci and Cassel continue to thrive in their respective careers in the film industry.
9. Monica Bellucci has two daughters
Monica Bellucci’s personal life includes the role of a loving mother. She is the proud parent of two daughters whom she shares with her ex husband Vincent Cassel: Deva Cassel, born in Rome in 2004; and Leonie Cassel, born in 2010, also in Rome.
Bellucci welcomed her children at the ages of 40 and 45, respectively.
10. Deva Cassel follows in the footsteps of her famous parents
Deva Cassel has an impressive lineage as the daughter of Monica Bellucci and Vincent Cassel. It’s no shocker that talent -and not to mention beauty! – runs in the family.
Monica Bellucci’s daughter started making waves in the fashion world at just 14, with a fragrance campaign for Dolce & Gabbana. She obviously has a promising career in the fashion industry – and she has already delved into acting as well, starring in the 2023 drama, The Beautiful Summer.
With such a pedigree, it seems like Deva Cassel is destined for the limelight!
11. Monica Bellucci is multilingual
The versatile Italian actress showcases her linguistic prowess with an impressive array of languages in her repertoire. Apart from her native Italian, Monica Bellucci speaks fluent English, French, and Spanish.
In addition, Monica Bellucci also has a grasp of Serbian and Farsi, adding further depth to her multilingual abilities.
12. Monica Bellucci made her stage debut playing Maria Callas in 2019
Monica Bellucci, proving her versatility as an actress and performer, made her stage debut in 2019. She played the legendary opera singer Maria Callas in a show based on Callas’ letters and memoirs.
The show, directed by Tom Volf, features Bellucci reading excerpts from Callas’ writings, accompanied by recordings of her voice and projections of her handwriting.
Monica Bellucci overcame her stage fright to perform the role, which she described as “a beautiful challenge.” The show has toured in several countries, including France, Italy, Greece, Turkey, England, and the United States.