24 Vintage Photos of a Teenage Sophia Loren at the Miss Italy Contest in Rome, 1950

In 1950, Sophia Loren was just fifteen-year-old when she stood in line with the other young girls hoping to win the glittering prize of Miss Italy in Rome.


Sofia Scicolone at the time, she was deemed to be too provocative to be chosen as the winner; she was therefore awarded the title of "Miss Eleganza 1950".


1950 was the first year that the competition was reported live on the radio. Maria Bugliari won the title of Miss Italy but her success was small potatoes when compared to the long and brilliant career Sophia Loren achieved as an actress from then on.