Elsa Martinelli

I recently saw a couple of old films starring Italian glamour queen Elsa Martinelli.



Upon researching the gorgeous bombshell, I was delighted to learn that besides being a pretty face and talented actress, she was also a fucking bad ass.

Here is her story:



At 18, Elsa was working as a barmaid in her native Rome when she was discovered by a fashion designer. He encouraged her to give up the blue collar lifestyle and go to New York to pursue modeling. Elsa took his advice.



With only $20 in her pocket and not speaking a word of English, Elsa arrived in New York City. She was immediately signed with an agency and began appearing in numerous fashion magazines.





Two years later, Kirk Douglas's wife spotted the supermodel in Vogue and suggested to him that Elsa be cast as his leading lady in the upcoming western, The Indian Fighter.



Elsa's career went from supermodel to movie star overnight. She went on to star in movies with Elizabeth Taylor, John Wayne, Marlon Brando, and Charlton Heston. She even starred in a lesbian vampire movie.



When she wasn't busy making movies, she was busy making love to numerous wealthy men, including a prince and a fashion designer.



At 24, the superstar was sentenced to 18 months in jail for viciously insulting three different police officers when they tried to serve her with traffic tickets.



Not long after, she caused an international scandal when she married Count Franco Mancinelli. The royal's mother was so disgusted with the marriage she disowned him, closing the palace gates against the couple forever.



Three years and two kids later, Elsa was desperate to divorce the disowned count, but Italy prohibited divorce at the time.



Separated from her husband, Elsa used her Hollywood-earned money to buy old houses around Europe and renovate them. She also enjoyed spending time with her children.



In the early 1960s she fell in love with photographer Wally Rizzo. She changed her citizenship in order to divorce the Count. She then quickly married Rizzo.



The couple jet-setted around the world, attending lavish, wild parties with close friends such as opera diva Maria Callas and movie star Sophia Loren.



In the early 1970s, Elsa began a cozy friendship with Greek shipping magnate, Aristotle Onassis, behind his wife Jackie's back.



It is reported that when Jackie O saw the above photo of her husband and Elsa together, she promptly got a $100,000 face-lift.



In the 1980s, Elsa became an interior designer.



Today, she is still a sought-after actress and still as beautiful as ever.


PS. I really enjoyed reading your embarrassing moments from my last post.

PPS. I am going to be in Chicago for five days. So, I will see you lovelies on Wednesday! Have a fab weekend. xoxo