Sophia Loren is the next speaker in Brilliant Lecture Series' Conversations with Brilliance series, which offers unique opportunities to hear international icons speak about their life experiences and wisdom.

Loren was born as Sofia Scicolone in Rome, Italy, in 1934. Growing up in the slums of Pozzuoli during World War II, her life took an unexpected turn for the best when she entered a beauty contest where she placed as one of the finalists. It was her success in that contest that caught the attention of film producer Carlo Ponti, whom she eventually married in 1966. Under his guidance, Loren appeared as an extra in 10 films, beginning in 1950, before working her way up to supporting roles. In these early films, she was credited as Sofia Lazzaro because people joked her beauty could raise Lazarus from the dead.