Born on September 29, 1931, in Malmö, Sweden, Anita Ekberg grew up in a modest household as the sixth of eight children. Though her early years gave little hint of the international fame that awaited her, her striking beauty set her apart from an early age.
Her journey to stardom began in 1950 when she won the title of Miss Sweden. While she didn’t take home the Miss Universe crown, her participation in the pageant proved to be a turning point. The exposure brought her to Hollywood, where her captivating presence quickly caught the eye of industry insiders. This newfound recognition opened doors in modeling and acting, setting the stage for her entertainment career.
Breaking into Hollywood
Ekberg’s Hollywood debut came in the mid-1950s with supporting roles in films such as Blood Alley (1955), where she appeared alongside John Wayne and Lauren Bacall, and the comedy Artists and Models (1955), starring Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. Her Nordic beauty and statuesque elegance earned her the nickname “The Iceberg,” reinforcing her image as a classic Hollywood bombshell. Popular media, including Playboy, frequently featured her, further cementing her status as a pop culture sensation.
La Dolce Vita and Global Stardom
However, it was her role in Federico Fellini’s La Dolce Vita (1960) that made her an international icon. Her portrayal of Sylvia, the enchanting yet elusive starlet, captured the essence of celebrity allure and mystery. The film’s most legendary moment—Ekberg wading through Rome’s Trevi Fountain in a flowing black gown—became one of the most enduring images in cinematic history.
Despite the worldwide recognition La Dolce Vita brought her, the role also led to typecasting, with many directors offering her parts that emphasized her glamorous persona. While this limited her opportunities for more diverse roles, Ekberg embraced the fame it afforded her, understanding the power of the image she had cultivated.
Life in Italy and Career Beyond Hollywood
Choosing to remain in Italy after her rise to stardom, Ekberg found greater creative freedom outside Hollywood’s constraints. She appeared in notable European films such as Boccaccio ’70 (1962), an anthology featuring works by Fellini and Vittorio De Sica, and 4 for Texas (1963), where she reunited with Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra. Though filmmakers often cast her in roles that leaned into her seductive image, she maintained a strong presence in European cinema, solidifying her legacy as a screen siren of her era.
Jennifer Lopez ‘seemed off’ in pics taken days before rumored split from Ben Affleck
It seems that there’s trouble in paradise for Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck. At least, that’s what the internet has been saying for the past few days.
Sadly, multiple news outlets suggest that things may not be looking good for the power couple, affectionately referred to as ‘Bennifer’.
Rumors of a potential split have slowly been intensifying as new details come to light.
Last week, Ben Affleck was spotted driving in Brentwood, Los Angeles. According to TMZ, the actor was leaving a house where he had apparently been staying alone. The following day, paparazzi caught him again, leaving the same location.
Affleck, once more riding solo, was reportedly not seen at the $60 million Beverly Hills estate he shares with Jennifer Lopez the previous evening. This absence has led some fans to express their dismay over the potential breakup.
“Why are they breaking up?” a sad fan wrote on X.
Another fan expressed their shock at the breakup rumors, saying on Facebook: “Noooooo!!!!!!!!!!! This can’t be happening!!!!!”
Similarly, someone else simply commented: “That’s not true.”
However, others are less surprised by the rumors… One person even claimed they expected this outcome all along.
“I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if they have secretly split. I knew from the moment they got married, it [would] not be till death do us part. This is her fourth marriage, how is it truthful on her vows?” an X user wrote.
Meanwhile, a hopeful fan chimed in with: “I hope things work out between them!”
Further complicating the couple’s relationship status is the fact that Affleck and Lopez have not been publicly photographed together for over a month. The last time they were seen together was on March 30, holding hands in New York City.
Lopez stayed in New York in April and May to promote her upcoming Netflix movie, Atlas. She was also preparing for and attending the Met Gala as a co-chair, without Affleck.
While Lopez was occupied in New York, Affleck was on the West Coast reportedly filming The Accountant 2. He also attended Tom Brady’s comedy roast on May 5, without Lopez.
Commenting on Lopez’s demeanor during her big night at the Met Gala, one Facebook user wrote: “She looked super stressed and tired at the Met Gala. I figured it was […] her tour rehearsals and filming … Maybe it was this … I root for them.”
“That’s what I was thinking,” replied one user. Another added: “Agree! She looked awful, stressed, and strained. Did not look herself at all.”
A third wrote that the actress “seemed off.”
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