Italian singer, dancer, TV presenter, model and actress Raffaella Carra` was born on 18th June 1943 as Raffaella Maria Roberta Pelloni in Bologna and passed away on 5th July 2021. She never married and did not have any children.
As a child, she attended a dance school but quit ballet classes when she was 14 years old. Meanwhile, she studied at a film school and graduated in 1960.
Raffaella made her big screen debut at just 9 years old when she acted in the melodrama movie ‘Torment of the Past’. She became a recognised actress 8 years later in 1960 when she was cast in ‘Long Night in 1943’. In the 5 years that followed, Carra` starred in about 15 films and in 1965, she moved to Hollywood after signing a contract. There she acted alongside Frank Sinatra in ‘Von Ryan’s Express’ as well as appeared in an episode of the American TV series ‘I Spy’. As she started feeling homesick, Raffaella decided to return to her native Italy and until 2020 starred in 10 more movies.
Since 1962, Carra` became a TV personality as well and over the years has hosted and guest appeared in numerous variety shows as well as acted in several TV films, not just in Italy but also in Spain, France, Switzerland and even Argentina. These include: ‘I Grandi Camaleonti’, ‘Tempo di Samba’, ‘Canzonissima’, ‘Raffaella Carra` Show’, ‘Fantastico’, ‘Il Principe Azzurro’, ‘Carramba! Che Sorpresa’ and ‘The Voice of Italy’.
With regards to her singing career, she released her debut album ‘Raffaella’ in 1970 and by 2018 she had another 24 albums released. Carra` also released 43 singles amongst which the most popular ones there are ‘Ma che musica maestro’, ‘Tuca Tuca’, ‘Rumore’, ‘A Far l’Amore comincia tu’, ‘Fiesta’, ‘Tanti Auguri’, ‘Pedro’ and ‘Ballo Ballo’.
Raffaella was also an avid philanthropist and supported several charitable institutions regarding women’s image liberation, feminism, anti-conservatism and LGBTQ+. She was considered a fashion and design, music, LGBTQ+ and pop culture icon in numerous countries throughout Europe and also Latin America.
During her career, Raffaella received numerous awards, including 12 Telegatto. a ‘gay’ icon and 2 TP De Oro. In addition, she was honoured with both a Dame and a Medal of the Order of Civil Merit from Spain.
Carra` passed away on 5th July 2021 from lung cancer at the age of 78.
*Image: no infringement intended. Source: hola.com