Phyllis Brown
It’s time to explore the timeless beauty of Isabella Rossellini through these fascinating photos. Undoubtedly, Rossellini is a multi-talented icon.
She first gained fame as a model in such magazines as Marie Claire, Harper’s Bazaar, Vanity Fair, and Elle before making her mark in acting. She enchanted millions of hearts with her portrayals in acclaimed films such as “Blue Velvet,” “Death Becomes Her,” and “Big Night.”
Her iconic style and enduring grace continue to inspire and conquer audiences worldwide.
The early life of Rossellini
Rossellini was born in Rome on June 18, 1952. She was born into a European film royalty as the daughter of director Roberto Rossellini and actor Ingrid Bergman.
She grew up with three siblings from her mother and four from her father’s other marriages. Despite her mixed heritage, she received a liberal Catholic upbringing.
Growing up, Rossellini split her time between Rome, Santa Marinella, and Paris. She faced health challenges early on, undergoing surgery for appendicitis at five and later being diagnosed with scoliosis at eleven, which required extensive treatment, including surgery and body casts.
At nineteen, she moved to New York City, where she attended Finch College while working as a translator and a television reporter for RAI. During this time, she also appeared on the TV show L’altra Domenica.
It wasn’t until her marriage to Martin Scorsese, whom she met during an interview, that she decided to settle in New York permanently.
Her success in modeling and film career
At the age of 28, Isabella Rossellini embarked on a modeling career, which might seem a bit later than usual for such endeavors. Nonetheless, she quickly made her mark, gracing the covers of renowned magazines like Vogue, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, and Vanity Fair.
Photographers of high acclaim, including Bruce Weber and Bill King, captured her essence, propelling her into the spotlight.
In March 1988, the Musee d’Art Moderne in Paris hosted an exhibition titled “Portrait of a Woman,” dedicated to photographs of her.
Isabella’s modeling journey didn’t stop at magazines; it also led her into the world of cosmetics. In 1982, she became the exclusive face of Lancôme, succeeding esteemed models like Nancy Dutiel and Carol Alt.
Her captivating presence wasn’t confined to the pages of magazines; it extended to music videos and controversial projects, including Madonna’s book Sex, where she made a striking appearance, and the accompanying music video for Madonna’s hit song “Erotica.”
In 2004, Rossellini further expanded her ambassadorial role by becoming the face of Silversea Cruises.
Barbara Muckermann, the senior vice president of worldwide marketing and communications, aptly put it, “Isabella is the ideal personification of Silversea’s exclusive standard of elegance, glamour, and sophistication.”
In the mid-1980s, while her modeling career thrived, she segued into acting, which yielded memorable performances in films and television projects like “Blue Velvet” (1987), “Wild at Heart” (1990), and “Big Night” (1996).
Throughout her career, Rossellini ventured into diverse roles, from the poignant in “Death Becomes Her” (1992) to the comedic in “The Imposters” (1998) and the intense in “Crime of the Century” (HBO, 1996).
Beyond acting, she explored other creative avenues, such as filmmaking with “My Dad is 100 Years Old” (2006) and the unique short film series “Green Porno” (2008).
Her life beyond the screen and unique perspective on aging
In 1996, at the age of 43, Isabella Rossellini faced a setback when Lancôme removed her as their spokesperson, citing her age as the reason.
“I was told advertising is about dreams and women dream to be young, so I couldn’t represent that dream.” Isabella Rossellini told Page Six: “I think the biggest dream for women is to grow old with beauty and dignity and elegance.”
Despite the disappointment, Rossellini wasn’t surprised, having witnessed similar occurrences with other models and even her mother in the film industry.
Twenty years later, with Lancôme under female leadership, they issued an apology and invited Rossellini back, acknowledging her enduring appeal and the changing perceptions of beauty. Today, Rossellini represents a different ideal for Lancôme.
“I’m not there now to represent beauty; I’m there to represent a different dream. It may be defined as joyfulness; life goes on and there are many chapters. I think that’s why they keep me.”
Reflecting on her journey, Rossellini expresses gratitude for being let go. This moment empowered her to pursue her passions fearlessly.
She authored books, pursued higher education in her mid-50s, made films for personal fulfillment, and embarked on new ventures like lecturing and creating “Green Porno” – a series about the mating and maternal behaviors of different animals.
Despite the challenges of aging, Rossellini finds happiness in the freedom it brings. She smiles.
“Aging brings a lot of happiness. You get fatter and more wrinkles, and that’s not so good, but there is a freedom that comes with it. The freedom is: I better do what I want to do now, because I’ll be dead soon. So this is my last chance.
She added, “Also, there’s a serenity that comes – I had the career I had, good or bad, I did the best I could, and now I continue pursuing what is interesting to me.”
Gorgeous photos of Rossellini
Rossellini with her then husband, Martin Scorsese, in 1981
Isabella Rossellini photographed by Helmut Newton, 1982
Isabella at a Lancome golf tournament, 1984
She played the role of Darya Greenwood in Taylor Hackford’s Cold War drama White Nights, 1985
She made one of her most notable acting performances as Dorothy Vallens in Blue Velvet, 1986
Rossellini starred alongside Lynch in Tina Rathborne’s film Zelly and Me, 1988
Rossellini starred alongside Ted Danson, pictured, in Cousins, 1989
Rossellini went blonde to play the role of the feisty femme fatale Perdita Durango in David Lynch’s thriller Wild At Heart, 1990
1990 Isabella Rossellini
Rossellini with David Lynch at the Cannes Film Festival, 1990
Rossellini in 1992’s Death Becomes Her
Rossellini won the Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1992 for her Lisle von Rhoman in Death Becomes Her
Rossellini is pictured here with director Tom Cruise on the set of American TV series Fallen Angels, 1993
Rossellini stars as Laura Klein in the film Fearless, 1993
Rossellini starred in Immortal Beloved with her then fiance Gary Oldman, 1994
Isabella Rossellini, New York, 1994
Vogue Italia February 1995, Isabella Rossellini photographed by Michel Comte
Isabella Rossellini photographed by Gilles Bensimon for Elle, February 1995, with makeup by Francois Nars
Isabella Rossellini received a Golden Globe Award nomination for her performance in Crime of the Century, 1996
Rossellini at Barnes and Noble in New York on the launch of her second book, Looking At Me, 2002
Rossellini at the Green Porno video exhibition opening at the NRW-Forum in Germany, 2009
Rossellini appears as Jake Gyllenhaal’s mother in the psychological thriller Enemy, 2013
Rossellini with Robert De Niro and Jennifer Lawrence in 2015’s Joy
Isabella Rossellini backstage at the Pucci show with creative director Camille Miceli
Isabella Rossellini closing the Pucci spring 2024 ready-to-wear show
