The message read: “In loving and devoted memory. Charles R”. The “R” in King Charles’ title refers to “Rex,” which is Latin for king. The service at Westminster Abbey — attended by
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, NATO’s Jens Stoltenberg and other European leaders are condemning the attack on Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico on Wednesday.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg: “Shocked and appalled by the shooting of Prime Minister Robert Fico. I wish him strength for a speedy recovery. My thoughts are with Robert Fico, his loved ones, and the people of Slovakia,” he said on X.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen: “I strongly condemn the vile attack on Prime Minister Robert Fico. Such acts of violence have no place in our society and undermine democracy, our most precious common good. My thoughts are with PM Fico, his family,” she said on X.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky: “The attack on Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico is appalling. We strongly condemn this act of violence against our neighboring partner state’s head of government. Every effort should be made to ensure that violence does not become the norm in any country, form, or sphere. We sincerely hope Robert Fico recovers soon and express our solidarity with the people of Slovakia,” Zelensky said in a post on X.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban: “I was deeply shocked by the heinous attack against my friend, Prime Minister Robert Fico. We pray for his health and quick recovery! God bless him and his country!” Orban wrote in an X post.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni: “I learned with deep shock the news of the cowardly attack on Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. All my thoughts are with him, his family and the friendly Slovak people,” she said in a statement from her office.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez: “Horrified and outraged at the attack on the Slovak Prime Minister. Spain stands with Robert Fico, his family and the Slovak people at this extremely difficult time. Nothing can ever justify violence,” Sanchez said in an X post.
Don't Miss
American soldier Gordon Black, who was arrested in Russia on suspicion of theft, has “admitted guilt” and is cooperating with the investigation, Russian state news agency TASS reported Thursday quoting law enforcement agencies.
“The accused admitted guilt and is cooperating with the investigation. This happens in English through an interpreter,” a law enforcement representative told TASS.
Staff Sgt. Gordon Black was arrested in Vladivostok on May 2. He is accused of “committing secret theft” of property and causing “significant damage,” the Pervomaisky District Court of Vladivostok said.
Black remains in pre-trial detention as authorities assess whether he has been provided everything he needs, including access to a lawyer, the chairman of the regional Public Monitoring Commission (ONC) Vladimir Naidin told TASS.
Black was stationed in South Korea and after completing his service, went to Vladivostok to visit a Russian woman with whom he had a romantic relationship, according to TASS. He was arrested at a time of elevated tensions between the US and Russia as the war in Ukraine grinds on. However, a Russian Foreign Ministry representative told TASS that the case is “not related to politics or espionage.”
At the time of his arrest, the US State Department confirmed that a US citizen was detained in Russia. “We have no higher priority than the safety and security of U.S. citizens overseas,” a State department spokesperson said at the time. Several other Americans are also being held in Russia, including two who have been declared as wrongfully detained by the US State Department – Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former Marine Paul Whelan.
Don't Miss
Robert Persichitti, a 102-year-old World Struggle II US Navy veteran, died final week whereas on his solution to France to commemorate the eightieth anniversary of D-Daybased on Honor Flight Rochester, a veterans group.
Persichitti was a “great, nice, humble man,” who was “simple to speak to,” stated Honor Flight Rochester President and CEO Richard Stewart, who instructed CNN he discovered of his good friend’s loss of life final Friday.
“We miss him,” stated Stewart.
Whereas Persichitti handed away sure for Normandy — the place the Allied forces’ touchdown on June 6, 1944laid the muse for the defeat of Nazi Germany — he served within the Pacific as a radioman aboard the USS Eldorado, Stewart stated. His tour of obligation included Iwo Jima, Okinawa and Guam, based on Stewart and the New York State Senate Veterans Corridor of Fameinto which Persichitti was inducted in 2020.
Persichitti fell ailing final week throughout a cease in Germany whereas headed for Normandy, Al DeCarlo, a good friend who was touring with Persichitti, instructed CNN affiliate WHAM. Persichitti was airlifted to the hospital and died quickly after, DeCarlo stated.
Persichitti had coronary heart issues previously, “however for 102, I might say he was in excellent well being,” Stewart instructed CNN.
Persichitti was born in a coal mining city exterior Pittsburgh, Stewart stated, describing his good friend’s “humble, poor beginnings.” After the conflict, Persichitti labored as a carpentry trainer in Rochester, New York, based on the Veterans Corridor of Fame, and in 1972 acquired a level from SUNY Buffalo.
Don't Miss
Even though Russia has “many more” nuclear bombs than the US and Europe, discussions about a possible nuclear war are not necessary, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned Friday.
“There is no need to think about it [nuclear war]. And I would ask anyone to not mention anything like that,” he said at the St. Petersburg Economic Forum.
Putin added that Russian forces are “increasing their effectiveness,” about 27 months into Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Russia’s defense industry has increased shell production by 20%, and its forces are “surpassing the capabilities of our enemies” when it comes to aircraft and tanks, he said.
Veiled threats: Putin has repeatedly made remarks on the possibility of using nuclear weapons. On Friday, the Russian leader said his country has nuclear weapons that are more powerful than the bombs the Americans dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in World War II, “but it won’t come to this.” Russia’s total nuclear stockpile is larger than the United States’, at around 6,250 total nuclear warheads, according to the Arms Control Association. The US has more than 5,500.
Legacy of nuclear war: Washington unleashed atomic bombs on both Japanese cities in August 1945, leaving years of destruction and psychological trauma on communities there.
At least 70,000 people were killed in the initial blast in Hiroshima, while approximately 70,000 more died from radiation exposure. The US dropped another bomb on Nagasaki three days later killing up to 80,000 people.
The US remains the only country to ever use an atomic bomb in war.
Don't Miss
The European Parliament is the legislative branch of the European Union and one of the bloc’s three main institutions, along with the European Commission, which is the executive branch, and the European Council, which is made up of ministers from the governments of the 27 member states.
The parliament sits primarily in Brussels, Belgium, but moves roughly once a month to Strasbourg, France.
It is the only EU institution where representatives are directly elected, and MEPs pass laws which are applied all over the bloc. In order for any legislation to be implemented, both the council and parliament have to agree.
One of the parliament’s most crucial roles is approving the makeup of the commission, which is ultimately responsible for the political direction of the world’s largest trading bloc, and it has the final say on who is appointed as president of the commission. Currently the top job is filled by Germany’s Ursula von der Leyen, who is seeking a second term at the helm.
The parliament also has ultimate approval over the billions of euros allocated in the EU budget. It often has the final word on major policy issues such as the budget, trade and sanctions on foreign nationals.
The parliament can also put major international objectives in the deep freeze. For example, A comprehensive mutual investment agreement between the EU and China is effectively on hold while some MEPs are under sanctions from China. The parliament as a whole has refused to advance the agreement until the sanctions are lifted.
Don't Miss
Group of Seven leaders have reached an agreement to loan money to Ukraine backed by the profits from frozen Russian investments, a senior US administration official confirmed Thursday, as the G7 met in Puglia, Italy.
The official added that it’s “only fair that we close the gap by making Russia pay, not our taxpayers, and we found a way to do so that respects the rule of law in every jurisdiction.”
The agreement is the product of years of negotiation complicated by a patchwork of jurisdictional laws that required the direct involvement of President Joe Biden and national security adviser Jake Sullivan, among other top US officials.
What happens next: The leaders will soon issue a joint communiqué on the decision.
It will take some time before Ukraine begins to receive this money, but the US official said the effort would “move with urgency” and the commitment remains “to be ready to disperse $50 billion this calendar year.”
If the loan is dispersed by the end of 2024, it would ensure the money would get to Ukraine before a potential change in US presidents. Biden is facing off against former President Donald Trump in November’s US presidential election, and Trump has refused to commit to sending additional funding to Ukraine.
“The next steps are to enshrine the communiqué commitments with the EU 27, the full membership, then we need to write contracts between the lenders … the recipient, which is Ukraine, and the intermediaries,” the official said.
From there, there will be an agreement on a dispersal schedule.
Don't Miss
CNN
—
Here’s a look at the life of retired professional soccer player David Beckham.
Birth date: May 2, 1975
Birth place: London, England
Birth name: David Robert Joseph Beckham
Father: David Edward “Ted” Beckham, an appliance repairman
Mother: Sandra (West) Beckham, a hairdresser
Marriage: Victoria (Adams) Beckham (July 4, 1999-present)
Children: Harper, Cruz, Romeo and Brooklyn
Retired professional soccer (European football) player.
Married to Spice Girl Victoria (Adams) Beckham, nicknamed “Posh Spice.”
Midfielder known for his ability to “bend” his free kicks, curving the ball around or over defenders to score. The movie title “Bend it like Beckham” is a tribute to his kicking style.
Won league titles in four different countries while playing for Manchester United, Real Madrid, Los Angeles Galaxy and Paris Saint-Germain.
Played 115 times for England between 1996 and 2009.
Leadership Council Member of Malaria No More UK.
1991 – At age 16, leaves home to play in Manchester United’s training league.
April 2, 1995 – Premier League debut with Manchester United.
1996 – Gains recognition when he scores a goal from the halfway line, a kick of almost 60 yards.
September 1996 – Makes his international debut in the World Cup qualifier against Moldova. England wins 3-0.
1998 – Is named to the English national team for 1998 World Cup.
1998 – Beckham is given a red card and ejected from a second round World Cup match for kicking out at Argentina’s Diego Simeone, which contributed to England’s elimination.
1999 – Leads Manchester United to a treble, winning the English Premier League, FA Cup and European Champions League trophies.
November 15, 2000 – Is named captain of England’s national team.
April 2002 – Breaks a bone in his foot but later competes in the World Cup finals in June. England ultimately loses to Brazil in the quarterfinals.
May 2003 – Breaks his hand during a 2-1 win over South Africa in Durban.
June-July 2003 – Traded by Manchester United to Real Madrid. He signs a four-year contract with Real Madrid for $40 million.
November 27, 2003 – Receives an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) from Queen Elizabeth II.
January 10, 2005 – Appointed UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadorwith a focus on the program Sport for Development.
August 3, 2005 – Is awarded libel damages from the tabloid, the People, that accused him of making hate calls to a former nanny.
March 9, 2006 – Settles a libel case against the British tabloid, News of the World, over a 2004 headline that read, “Posh and Becks on the Rocks.”
January 2007 – Signs on with the Los Angeles Galaxy, an American Major League Soccer team.
July 21, 2007 – Plays his first game with the LA Galaxy. It is initially reported he will receive an estimated $250 million over the life of his five-year contract, but later revealed that the Galaxy will pay him $32.5 million over five years.
March 26, 2008 – Appears for the 100th time in an England uniform. During the England/France game Beckham receives a standing ovation from both sides as he leaves the field during a substitution.
January 2009 – Loaned by the LA Galaxy team to the AC Milan club. He initially agrees to a three-month stint with the Milan team but the loan is extended to six months.
December 2009 – Is loaned to AC Milan a second time until the end of the Italian season in May.
March 14, 2010 – Tears an Achilles tendon during an AC Milan match and is unable to play in the World Cup.
December 1, 2012 – Plays his final game with the LA Galaxy.
January 31, 2013 – Announces that he has signed with Paris Saint-Germain for five months and will donate the pay to a children’s charity in Paris.
May 16, 2013 – Announces that he will retire from professional soccer at the end of his season.
February 5, 2014 – Announces he will establish a Major League Soccer franchise in Miami.
February 9, 2015 – Launches 7: The David Beckham UNICEF Funda collaboration with UNICEF to help kids in danger zones around the world.
January 29, 2018 – MLS announces that Miami has been awarded the league’s 25th franchiseabout four years after Beckham first announced his intention to exercise his right to buy an MLS franchise in February 2014. The Beckham franchise will be backed by Cuban-American businessmen Jorge and Jose Mas, CEO of Sprint Corporation Marcelo Claure, entertainment producer Simon Fuller and the founder of Japanese telecommunications firm SoftBank, Masayoshi Son.
September 5, 2018 – Beckham’s Miami expansion team announces it name, Miami International Soccer ClubInter Miami for short.
March 1, 2020 – Inter Miami plays its debut MLS game.
October 2, 2020 – A company co-founded by Beckham, Guild Esports, lists on the London Stock Exchange, becoming the first esports franchise to go public on the LSE.
March 20, 2022 – Beckham hands over control of his Instagram account to a doctor in Ukraine, in a bid to highlight the work of medical professionals caring for patients amid the Russian invasion of the country.
October 4, 2023 – Netflix’s four-part documentary series titled “Beckham” is released.
Don't Miss
CNN
—
Here’s a look at the life of professional soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo.
Birth date: February 5, 1985
Birth place: Funchal, Portugal
Birth name: Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro
Father: Jose Dinis Aveiro, a gardener
Mother: Maria Dolores dos Santos Aveiro, a cook
Children: with Georgina Rodriguez: Alana Martina, 2017; Bella Esmeralda and male twin (name unreleased, died in childbirth), 2022; via surrogate: Eva and Mateo (twins), 2017; with mother’s name unavailable publicly: Cristiano Jr., 2010
All-time leading male goalscorer in international football.
First male player in history to score a goal in five different World Cups.
Portugal’s all-time top international goalscorer.
Winner of the Ballon d’Or footballer of the year award five times (2008, 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017), and the European Golden Shoe four times (2007-08, 2010-11, 2013-14 and 2014-15).
One of his acts of charity was paying for the brain surgery of a 10-month-old boy. Other acts have included raising money for survivors of the 2004 Indonesian tsunami and paying for treatment for a 9-year-old cancer patient.
His father named him after US President Ronald Reagan.
Early 1990s – Joins local amateur team Andorinha.
Late 1990s – Joins Clube Desportivo Nacional da Madeira, one of Portugal’s leading professional football clubs.
Early 2000s – Signs with Sporting Clube de Portugal.
August 12, 2003 – Signs with Manchester United for £12.24 million ($19.7 million).
August 20, 2003 – Debuts for Portugal’s national team.
June-July 2004 – Represents Portugal in the UEFA Euro and scores a goal in the tournament opener. This is his first major international tournament.
July 2004 – Plays for Portugal during the Summer Olympics. Portugal is eliminated in the group stage.
2005 – Wins the FIFPro Special Young Player of the Year award.
October 2005 – Comes under investigation for an alleged sexual assault but is not charged.
June 17, 2006 – Scores his first World Cup goal against Iran. Portugal wins 2-0.
2008 – Wins the FIFA World Player of the Year award.
2009 – Transfers to Real Madrid. The deal includes an £80 million (more than $130 million) transfer fee.
December 15, 2013 – Opens a museum dedicated to his football career in his hometown of Funchal, Portugal.
January 6, 2014 – Scores his 400th career goal.
January 20, 2014 – Is named Grand Officer of the Order of Prince Henry.
October 17, 2015 – Officially becomes Real Madrid’s all-time leading goalscorer in the club’s 3-0 victory over Levante at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium.
November 9, 2015 – The documentary “Ronaldo” premieres in London.
November 8, 2016 – Signs a “lifetime” endorsement deal with Nike.
January 2017 – Is named the inaugural Best FIFA Men’s Player of 2016.
June 13, 2017 – Is accused of defrauding Spanish authorities of $16.4 million in tax between 2011 and 2014.
August 14, 2017 – According to the Spanish Football Federation, Ronaldo is banned for five games following his red card in Real Madrid’s 3-1 victory over rival Barcelona. On top of the one-game ban for the red card, he will miss four further games for pushing referee Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea as he was leaving the field.
October 23, 2017 – Wins the FIFA Best Men’s Player Award for the second year in a row.
December 7, 2017 – Claims his fifth Ballon d’Or, equaling the record set by eternal rival Lionel Messi.
July 10, 2018 – Leaves Real Madrid to join the reigning Serie A champion Juventus, based in Turin, Italy, on a four-year contract and a reported $117 million transfer fee.
September 27, 2018 – Kathryn Mayorga files a lawsuit in Clark County, Nevada, accusing Ronaldo of raping her in a Las Vegas hotel room in 2009. She seeks to void a settlement and nondisclosure agreement she says she was coerced to sign by Ronaldo and his legal team. Ronaldo denies the allegations.
January 10, 2019 – Las Vegas police spokeswoman, Officer Laura Meltzer, confirms that in the course of investigating a rape allegation against Ronaldo they have sent a warrant to authorities in Italy requesting a sample of his DNA.
January 22, 2019 – Ronaldo agrees to settle his tax fraud case with Spanish authorities by paying a fine of $21.6 million and accepting a 23-month suspended prison sentence. Under Spanish law, first-time offenders can avoid prison time if the sentence is under two years.
April 20, 2019 – Juventus defeats Fiorentina 2-1 to claim the Italian championship Serie A title. Ronaldo becomes the first player ever to win titles in the Premier League (with Manchester United), La Liga (with Real Madrid) and Serie A (with Juventus).
May 8, 2019 – The lawsuit filed in Clark County, Nevada, accusing Ronaldo of rape is voluntary dismissed by Mayorga. Larissa Drohobyczer, Mayorga’s attorney, tells CNN that “The state case was dismissed by us because we filed the identical claims in federal court due to federal court rules on serving foreigners, we basically just switched venues, but the claims remain.”
July 22, 2019 – The Clark County District Attorney’s office says that Ronaldo will not face sexual assault charges in Las Vegas. The office says the allegations, which were first made in 2009, cannot be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
August 16, 2019 – Federal court documents reveal that following Mayorga’s 2009 accusation of rape, Ronaldo paid Mayorga $375,000 in a settlement and confidentiality agreement. Mayorga is asking the court to invalidate the agreement on the grounds that Ronaldo and his legal team took advantage of her fragile emotional state to coerce her into signing it.
September 8, 2020 – Scores his 100th international goal in Portugal’s Nations League match against Sweden, becoming just the second man in history to reach the milestone.
October 13, 2020 – Has tested positive for coronavirus, according to a statement by the Portuguese Football Federation.
August 31, 2021 – Manchester United confirms the signing of Ronaldo for a second time, completing his transfer from Juventus.
September 1, 2021 – Breaks the men’s all-time international goalscoring record after scoring two goals against Ireland in the Group A World Cup qualifier in Almancil, Portugal.
October 6, 2021 – A federal judge recommends that the rape case against Ronaldo be dismissed, because Mayorga’s attorneys improperly obtained and used information from leaked documents. On June 10, 2022, the case is dismissed. In 2023, Ronaldo is reimbursed over $300,000 for legal fees he spent while defending himself. US District Judge Jennifer Dorsey ruled the attorney representing Mayorga, Leslie Stovall, pay Ronaldo. The court found Stovall owed the money after the attorney was judged to have harmed the footballer through “bad-faith lawyering.”
March 12, 2022 – Scores his 806th career goal against Tottenham, breaking FIFA’s all-time record for most goals in competitive matches in men’s football history.
April 18, 2022 – Ronaldo and his partner, Georgina Rodriguez, announce that one of their newborn twins, a boy, has died.
November 22, 2022 – Manchester United announces Ronaldo is leaving the English Premier League club with immediate effect. The announcement comes a week after Ronaldo gave an explosive TV interview about his frustrations at the club.
November 24, 2022 – With a goal in Portugal’s opener against Ghana in Qatar, becomes the first male player in history to score at five World Cups.
December 30, 2022 – Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr announces that Ronaldo has joined the team.
March 23, 2023 – Ronaldo breaks the all-time men’s international appearance record after captaining Portugal in its Euro 2024 qualifier against Liechtenstein in Lisbon.
February 28, 2024 – The Saudi Arabian Football Federation announces Ronaldo has been suspended for one match and fined for “provoking” fans in a Saudi Pro League match.
Cristiano Ronaldo has Portuguese airport renamed in his honor
Don't Miss
CNN
—
Here is a look at the life of the Princess of Wales, the former Catherine (Kate) Middleton.
Birth date: January 9, 1982
Birth place: Reading, Berkshire, England
Birth name: Catherine Elizabeth Middleton
Father: Michael Middleton, former airline pilot, now mail-order business owner
Mother: Carole (Goldsmith) Middleton, former flight attendant
Marriage: Prince William, The Prince of Wales (April 29, 2011-present)
Children: George Alexander Louis, Charlotte Elizabeth Diana and Louis Arthur Charles
Education: University of St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland, 2005, MA, Art History
Is the eldest of three children of self-made millionaires.
Her engagement ring belonged to Princess Diana.
2001 – Meets Prince William at University of St. Andrews.
2002-2005 – Shares living quarters with William and several other college students.
2003 – Begins dating Prince William around Christmas.
April 1, 2004 – First public sighting of the couple, a ski trip in Switzerland, is reported.
2006-2007 – Works as an accessories buyer for British ladies’ fashion chain store Jigsaw.
March 2007 – Ends relationship with Prince William, but within months they are on again.
October 2010 – Becomes engaged to Prince William during a trip to Kenya.
November 16, 2010 – Prince Charles officially announces the engagement to the world.
April 19, 2011 – The Middleton family coat of arms is unveiled.
April 29, 2011 – Marries Prince William at Westminster Abbey and becomes Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge.
June 2011 – The Duke and Duchess make an apartment on the grounds of Kensington Palace their London home.
June 30-July 8, 2011 – The couple’s first official trip to a foreign country, Canada.
July 8-10, 2011 – Visits Los Angeles, where she and William visit a job fair for veterans and an arts center in a low-income neighborhood. It is her first trip to the United States.
July 22, 2011 – Her wedding dress is put on display at Buckingham Palace.
January 5, 2012 – Announces the four charities she will support as a patron: the Art Room, which helps disadvantaged children express themselves through art; the National Portrait Gallery, which houses a famous collection of royal paintings and photographs; East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices, which helps children with life-threatening conditions; and Action on Addiction, which assists those with addiction issues.
March 19, 2012 – Gives her first official public address at East Anglia’s Children’s Hospice facility in Ipswich, England.
September 2012 – The French magazine Closer runs photographs of the Duchess privately sunbathing topless. The pictures also run in the Irish Daily Star newspaper.
September 17, 2012 – The Duchess and William file a complaint in France against the photographer who took the topless sunbathing pictures. They are seeking damages and would like to prevent further publication of the photos. The French magazine Closer, the Irish Daily Star and the Italian magazine Chi have each published some of the topless photos.
December 3, 2012 – The royal household announces that the Duchess is pregnant. According to the announcement, she is admitted to hospital with acute morning sickness.
July 22, 2013 – The Duchess gives birth to the couple’s first child, a son weighing 8 lbs., 6 oz. The baby is named Prince George Alexander Louis of Cambridge.
May 2, 2015 – The Duchess gives birth to the couple’s second child, a daughter weighing 8 lbs, 3 oz. The baby is named Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana of Cambridge.
February 17, 2016 – Guest edits Huffington Post UK as part of her Young Minds Matter initiative.
April 30, 2016 – As part of a partnership with the British National Portrait Gallery, the Duchess will appear on the cover of the centenary issue of fashion magazine British Vogue, and have two of her portraits hung in the gallery.
September 4, 2017 – Kensington Palace issues a statement that the Duchess is pregnant. The baby will be her and Prince William’s third child.
September 5, 2017 – A French court rules that the topless sunbathing pictures of the Duchess were an invasion of privacy, awarding her and William 100,000 euros (about $119,000) in damages.
April 23, 2018 – The Duchess gives birth to the couple’s third child, a son weighing 8 lbs., 7 oz. The baby is named Prince Louis Arthur Charles of Cambridge.
November 27, 2020 – The Duchess and the Royal Foundation release the findings of a study on how Covid-19 has impacted parents and caregivers of those raising children under the age of five. The study relied in part on a survey of more than half a million people about the early childhood years in the UK.
June 18, 2021 – The Duchess launches The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood. In a video announcing the center’s creation, the duchess says the goal is to “raise awareness of why the first five years of life are just so important for our future life outcomes.”
September 8, 2022 – Queen Elizabeth II dies, and Charles ascends to the throne.
September 10, 2022 – King Charles III announces William will be given the title Prince of Wales, making Catherine Princess of Wales.
Don't Miss
CNN
—
Here’s a look at the life of award-winning screen legend Sophia Loren.
Birth date: September 20, 1934
Birth place: Rome, Italy (grew up in Pozzuoli, outside of Naples)
Birth name: Sofia Villani Scicolone
Father: Riccardo Scicolone
Mother: Romilda Villani
Marriages: Carlo Ponti (April 9, 1966-January 10, 2007, his death; September 17, 1957-September 3, 1962, annulled)
Children: Edoardo, Carlo Jr.
At six, her chin was cut by shrapnel during a bombing in World War II.
Other screen names used before becoming Sophia Loren were Sofia Lazzaro and Sofia Scicolone.
Nominated for two Academy Awards and won one. She also received an honorary award.
Nominated for eight Golden Globes and won five. She also received the honorary Cecil B. DeMille Award.
Nominated for one Grammy Award and won.
An accomplished cook, she has written three cookbooks.
1949 – Enters the Queen of the Sea beauty contest and comes in second, winning a train ticket to Rome, where she begins modeling and acting in B-movies.
Early 1950s – Is the runner-up in a nightclub beauty contest for Miss Rome. Movie producer Carlo Ponti is one of the judges.
1951 – Makes her US film debut as an uncredited extra, with no lines, in the film “Quo Vadis?”
Early 1950s – Adopts the last name Loren.
October 23, 1953 – “Aida” opens; it’s her first major leading role.
1957 – Loren appears in her first English-speaking leading role, “The Pride and the Passion.” She learns her lines by using cue cards of English words written phonetically.
1962 – Wins the Best Actress Academy Award for “La ciociara (Two Women).”
September 3, 1962 – Her marriage of almost five years to Carlo Ponti is annulled. Neither the Vatican nor Italian law recognizes Ponti’s 1957 divorce by proxy from Giuliana Ponti. Loren and Ponti are forced to annul their marriage after warrants for their arrest are issued.
1964 – Stars in the movie, “Matrimonio all’italiana (Marriage Italian Style).” Nominated for an Academy Award.
1964-1965 – Moves to France with Carlo Ponti and becomes a French citizen.
1965 – Giuliana Ponti obtains a French divorce recognized by Italian law.
April 9, 1966 – Loren and Carlo Ponti marry for the second time.
July 24, 1968 – Loren and Ponti cleared of bigamy charges by Rome’s criminal court.
January 23, 1979 – Loren is tried (in absentia), and acquitted, of complicity with Ponti in income tax evasion, misuse of government subsidies, and illegal export of Italian funds and artwork. Carlo Ponti is convicted and sentenced to four years in prison (two years were pardoned) and fined 22 billion lire ($24 million). All charges against him were cleared in 1987.
1980 – Portrays both herself and her mother in the made-for-TV movie “Sophia Loren: Her Own Story,” based on her 1979 autobiography, “Sophia: Living and Loving, Her Own Story,” written with A. E. Hotchner.
May 20, 1982 – Loren begins her 30-day jail term for tax evasion, for unpaid supplementary taxes for 1963-1964.
June 5, 1982 – Serves 17 days of her 30-day jail term.
1991 – Receives Honorary Academy Award for Lifetime Achievement.
2003 – Winner, Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album for Children (along with Bill Clinton and Mikhail Gorbachev) for reading Prokofiev’s “Peter and The Wolf.”
2009 – Appears in the movie “Nine,” her first role in five years.
November 2014 – Loren’s memoir, “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow: My Life,” is published.
November 13, 2020 – “The Life Ahead” premieres on Netflix. The film stars Loren and is directed by her son, Edoardo Ponti.
April 2021 – Loren opens Sophia Loren Original Italian Food, a restaurant and pizzeria, in Florence, Italy.
September 24, 2023 – Is taken to hospital for surgery after falling in her home and suffering several fractures to her hip and thighbone.
Don't Miss
