Happy birthday, Sophia Loren!
The renowned Italian film star, one of the defining sex symbols of the 20th century and one of the most celebrated stars of Hollywood's Golden Age, celebrated her 92nd birthday on September 20.
The day even began with a sweet tribute from her granddaughter Lucia Ponti, who shared a few throwback photos of the actress, writing alongside one: "I love you forever."
© InstagramWhile Sophia started achieving recognition in the mid 1950s for a string of films before breaking into the mainstream with her Oscar-winning turn in 1960's Two Women, it was her pageantry that first kickstarted her career.
In honor of the screen icon's big day, we're looking back at Sophia Loren's pageant days in photos…
© Getty ImagesTeen beauty queen
Sophia began participating in beauty pageants when she was a teenager, first entering the local "The Queen of the Sea" contest, and was named one of the "Princesses," winning a cash prize and a train ticket to Rome.
© Getty ImagesSophia in Miss Italia
In 1950, Sophia entered the Miss Italia beauty pageant at the age of 15, and was selected as one of the four contestants representing the region of Lazio.
© Getty ImagesBeauty queen success story
While she didn't go on to win the pageant, she did win the title of Miss Elegance and was one of the three finalists that year.
© Getty ImagesMoving on to acting
Her success in the pageant circuit did, however, help Sophia and her mother facilitate a move to Rome to enroll the teen in an acting school. She was able to land a role as an extra in the 1951 Hollywood epic Quo Vadis at 16, and was eventually noticed and promoted as a mainline star herself.
© Getty Images60 years later…
Sophia's journey with the Miss Italia pageant didn't end there, though. In 2010, 60 years after her own participation, Sophia returned to crown Francesca Testasecca as the winner of the 71st edition of Miss Italia.
