An unforgettable party with important guests and exciting surprises.
A magical evening of genuine emotion unfolded as actress Sophia Loren celebrated her 90th birthday in Rome on the rooftop terrace at her beloved Anantara Palazzo Naiadi on 20 September, surrounded by her friends and loved ones.
Guests included Ferzan Ozpetek, Aurelio De Laurentis, Alessandra Mussolini, Christian De Sica with his wife Silvia Verdone, Al Bano, Gigi D’Alessio, Mara Venier, Giancarlo Giammetti, Zubin Mehta, Trudie Styler, the Mayor of Rome Roberto Gualtieri and many others. Singer Laura Pausini serenaded the invitees with a rendition of “Lo Sí” from the soundtrack of “La Vita Davanti a Sé,” the 2020 film by Edoardo Ponti starring Sophia Loren for which she won the the David di Donatello best actress award.
The carefully curated dinner of dishes inspired by Ms Loren’s cookbooks was crafted by the hotel’s Executive Chef, Heros De Agostinis. Guests were seated at 16 tables named for the star’s most famous films, including “A Special Day,” “La Ciociara,” “The Sunflowers,” “The Gold Of Naples” and “Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow.”
The nine-tier cake – one metre and thirty centimetres high – was prepared by the hotel’s Pastry Chef, Daniele De Santi, who made the final touches right in front of the birthday girl. Crafted from cream, sponge and chocolate with three different glazes, the cake was inspired by the beauty of the actress. It featured her favourite ingredients, as advised by her son Edoardo, and was decorated with white roses made of chocolate – Loren’s favourite flowers.
Laura Pausini lent her vocal talents once again, singing “Happy Birthday” along with the almost 200 guests in an expression of the esteem and affection that Ms Loren has won all over the world.
The evening was also an opportunity to officially inaugurate the Sophia Loren Suite at Anantara Palazzo Naiadi, the first and only suite in the world dedicated to the actress. Curated as if it were her Roman home, the suite offers a chance for fans and guests to immerse in the world of a cinematic icon and explore the life, habits and passions of a timeless actress.
