Farewell to Anita Ekberg

Star of La Dolce Vita dies at 83.

by Jennie Kermode

Anita Ekberg
Anita Ekberg

A former Miss Sweden who became an international sex symbol after dancing in the Trevi Fountain in La Dolce Vita, Anita Ekberg has died in hospital in Rome at the age of 83. The charismatic star, who set out to make a career in Hollywood even before she could speak English, also enjoyed success as a model.

Best known in cinema for her partnership with Federico Fellini, which also saw her shine in Intervista as late as 1987, she will be remembered for films like War And Peace, The Glass Sphinx, and Poirot thriller The Alphabet Murders. She enjoyed a brief career as a horror icon and also did television and radio work, the latter proving that it wasn't only her body with which she could captivate an audience.

During the last few years of her life, Ekberg fell on hard times following a robbery and fire at her home. She was hosptalised after breaking her thigh and subsequently suffered a series of short illnesses. twice married, she was alone at the time of her death, and never had children. Always gracious to press and public, she will be fondly remembered by fans around the world.

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