Sophia Loren tells PEOPLE how it feels to an 81-year-old grandmother. ... Loren finished as a finalist in the Miss Italia 1950 contest, and later enrolled in acting classes.

Sophia Loren returned to her roots and showed beauty pageant contestants exactly how it's done as she arrived to crown the new Miss Italy 2010 last night.

Celebrate Italian film icon Sophia Loren's life in photos on her 90th birthday, Sept. 20, ... Loren finished as a finalist in the Miss Italia 1950 contest, and later enrolled in acting classes.

Italian TV drops Miss Italia beauty contest that launched careers of Sophia Loren and Gina Lollobrigida . By NICK PISA FOR MAILONLINE. Published: 19:52 EDT, 17 July 2013 | Updated: 19:52 EDT, 17 ...

I started when I was 15 years old, I was a little skinny little toothpick and then I grew and grew and grew!” the former Miss Italia finalist laughed. Sophia Loren in 1968. ABC Photo Archives ...