After their union, President Georges Pompidou granted them both French citizenship. It was Ponti who suggested she change her surname to Loren, as it sounded better on the international market. The young actress’s ambition didn’t limit itself to Italy – Hollywood took notice. Her first film debut took place as early as 1953, alongside leading figures in Italian cinema. Her first film, Aida, produced by Ponti, was followed by, among others, Due notti con Cleopatra with Alberto Sordi, L’oro di Napoli directed by Vittorio De Sica, Miseria e nobiltà with Totò and La donna del fiume by Mario Soldati.
