Not far from Cinecittà, the Rome studios that became the European Hollywood in the 1950s, is one of the most splendid houses on the Via Appia Antica. This is Villa d'Autore, built in 1880 at the foot of the wall that bordered Rome and purchased by producer Carlo Ponti.
Although Ponti had been married since 1946 to Giuliana Fiastri, with whom he had two children, he couldn't help but feel something special for Sofia Loren (91), with whom he started dating during the filming of The River Girl (1954). Their relationship was so special that he promised her a home fit for a queen.
And so it was. In the 1950s, he bought the villa located on one of the first roads built by the ancient Romans. Nearby was also Gina Lollobrigida's villa, his artistic and social nemesis.
Well, that majestic residence is currently for sale for 22.6 million euros, a bargain considering that a decade ago it was listed for 40 million euros.
On a 9.7-hectare plot, there are two properties. The main residence of 680 square meters, spread over two floors connected by an elevator, consists of five spacious en-suite bedrooms, a library, a splendid kitchen, service quarters, a large living room, and a dining room with a floor that preserves the mosaic of an ancient Roman house over 2,000 years old. Part of the roof has been turned into a terrace.
The interior decoration is so exquisite that there are even marble statues almost 2,500 years old. One of the most curious facts is that the residence is elevated on a layer of solidified lava from an extinct volcano. Additionally, there is a landscaped garden of 14,000 square meters and a pool to cool off during the hot Roman summers.
In magazines of the time, Sofia Loren opened the doors to her paradise where she posed in the most majestic rooms. In the intimacy of what was Ponti and Loren's first official home, numerous Hollywood stars spent unforgettable evenings, such as Cary Grant, Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, and Rex Harrison.
The second residence is also of great dimensions. It is an old stable of 500 square meters converted into a loft with an industrial kitchen, also suitable for hosting unforgettable parties. In 1985, Carlo Ponti decided to sell it to the current owner who wishes to remain anonymous.
Despite Carlo being 22 years older than Sofia, the age difference was no issue for the couple. After overcoming the obstacles of the producer's first marriage in War and Peace (1956) and Two Women (1960) - for which Sofia became the first actress to win an Oscar in a non-English language - the couple legally married on April 9, 1966 in Sèvres, France.
Out of their great love, two children were born, Carlo (57), a conductor, and Edoardo (53), a film director. The Italian diva has four grandchildren, Lucía (20), Vittorio (19), Leonardo (16), and Beatrice (14). Carlo Ponti passed away in 2007 at the age of 94.