The story began in 1957, when Cary Grant — then 53 years old and one of Hollywood’s most beloved stars — met Sophia Loren, a rising 22-year-old Italian actress, on the set of the epic film The Pride and the Passion, directed by Stanley Kramer and co-starring Frank Sinatra. At the time, Loren was already in a relationship with Carlo Ponti, an Italian film producer more than 20 years her senior, who had discovered her as a teenager and nurtured her career. However, their relationship was complicated — Ponti was still legally married under Italian law and unable to divorce due to the country’s strict Catholic marriage rules.
Cary Grant, by contrast, was already a legend — charming, elegant, and mature. On set, he was instantly captivated by Loren’s beauty, intelligence, and charisma. Their chemistry on screen mirrored their connection off-screen. During filming in Spain, Grant pursued Loren with a combination of old-fashioned gallantry and deep emotional sincerity. He wrote her tender letters and sent her gifts, often expressing that she had changed his life. At one point, Grant even proposed marriage to her — not once, but twice. According to Loren, he would tell her that they were “meant for each other,” and that he would “always protect and love her.” However, Loren was torn.
