Virna Lisi was one of the most famous and glamorous actresses of the 1960s, who starred in Hollywood comedies, European dramas, and historical epics. She was known for her striking blue eyes, blonde hair, and sultry appeal, as well as her versatile talent and award-winning performances. But what was the cause of death of this iconic star, who passed away in 2014 at the age of 78?
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A Long and Successful Career
Virna Lisi was born as Virna Lisa Pieralisi in Ancona, Italy, on November 8, 1936. She began her film career as a teenager, after being discovered by two Neapolitan producers in Rome. She made her debut in La corda d’acciaio (The Steel Rope) in 1953, and soon appeared in musicals, comedies, and dramas. She gained popularity in Italy for her roles in films such as Le diciottenni (Eighteen Year Olds), Romolo e Remo (Duel of the Titans), and Eva.
In the early 1960s, she was offered the role of Tatiana Romanova in the James Bond film From Russia with Love, but she turned it down. Instead, she moved to Hollywood, where she was hailed as the new Marilyn Monroe. She starred opposite Jack Lemmon in How to Murder Your Wife, Frank Sinatra in Assault on a Queen, Tony Curtis in Not with My Wife, You Don’t!, and Anthony Quinn in The Secret of Santa Vittoria. She also posed for a famous cover of Esquire magazine, where she appeared shaving her face.
However, Lisi soon grew tired of being typecast as a bombshell, and returned to Europe in the late 1960s. She resumed her career in Italy and France, where she took on more challenging and diverse roles. She worked with directors such as Bernardo Bertolucci, Claude Chabrol, Mario Monicelli, and Patrice Chéreau. She won several awards for her performances, including the David di Donatello, the Nastro d’Argento, the César Award, and the Cannes Film Festival Best Actress Award. Some of her most acclaimed films include Beyond Good and Evil, The Cricket, Time for Loving, Merry Christmas… Happy New Year, Follow Your Heart, and La Reine Margot.
Lisi also had a successful career on television, where she appeared in several miniseries and TV movies. She played historical figures such as Catherine de’ Medici, Elizabeth I of England, Lucrezia Borgia, and Anna Karenina. She also starred in contemporary dramas such as Anna’s World and Steel Women. Her last film was Latin Lover, which was released posthumously in 2015.
A Private and Devoted Family Life
Despite her fame and beauty, Lisi was not interested in the glamour and scandals of show business. She preferred to lead a quiet and private life with her family. She married Franco Pesci, an architect and painter, in 1960. They had one son, Corrado Pesci, who became a film producer. They remained married until Franco’s death in 2013.
Lisi was devoted to her husband and son, and often put her career on hold to spend time with them. She once said: “I have always been faithful to my husband because I love him deeply. He is my life.” She also said: “My son is my greatest joy. He is very intelligent and sensitive. He has inherited his father’s artistic talent.”
Lisi was also a generous and charitable person, who supported various causes such as animal rights, children’s welfare, and cancer research. She was a vegetarian and an animal lover. She had several pets at her home in Rome.
A Courageous Fight Against Cancer
Lisi was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2013. She underwent chemotherapy and surgery to remove part of her lung. She fought bravely against the disease for over a year, but it eventually spread to other organs. She died on December 18, 2014, at her home in Rome. She was surrounded by her son and grandchildren.
Lisi’s death was mourned by many fans and colleagues around the world. She was praised for her talent, beauty, elegance, and grace. She was also remembered for her strength, dignity, and optimism during her illness.
According to The Guardian, Lisi said shortly before her death: “I don’t have any regrets about my life or my career. I have done everything I wanted to do. I have been very lucky.”
