Isabella Rossellini Opens Up About Fame And Legacy Of Iconic Parents

Isabella Rossellini’s Reflection on Her Parents’ Legacy

Isabella Rossellini, the daughter of one of Classic Hollywood’s most legendary couples, Ingrid Bergman and Roberto Rossellini, is sharing her heartfelt concerns about the fading memory of her parents’ incredible achievements. At 72, she reflects on how younger generations may not fully appreciate the monumental contributions her parents made to cinema and culture.

“Back in the day, people would introduce me as ‘Ingrid Bergman and Roberto Rossellini’s daughter,’” Isabella told Variety in an interview on September 4. “It always bothered me because I wanted people to see me as my own person. But now, I find it heartbreaking that younger generations don’t even know who they were. Fame is fleeting, and their reputations outlasted them, but it’s still a bittersweet realization.”

Isabella delves deeper into this theme in her 1997 memoir, Some of Me, where she questions the nature of remembrance and legacy. “Is being remembered a kind of antidote to death? Is fame a sort of eternity?” she muses, capturing the universal longing for immortality through recognition.

Read also:

Mika Brzezinski Shares Couplersquos Workout Moment With Husband Joe Scarborough

Remembering Ingrid Bergman: A Hollywood Icon

Ingrid Bergman’s children have previously opened up to Closer about their cherished memories of their mother and her immense impact on the film industry. Pia Lindström, Ingrid’s daughter from her marriage to Petter Lindström, recalls her mother’s transformative approach to acting. “She loved stepping into another person’s shoes, adopting their clothes and makeup,” Pia shared in February 2020. “It gave her the courage to become someone else. But beneath that bravado, I think she was deeply afraid.”

The Scandalous Affair That Changed Hollywood

Ingrid and Roberto’s story began as a controversial affair during the making of the 1950 film Stromboli. Both were married to other partners at the time, but their love transcended societal boundaries. Ingrid became pregnant with their son, Renato “Robin” Rossellini, leading them both to divorce their previous spouses amidst a media firestorm. In 1952, Isabella and her twin sister Isotta Rossellini were born, solidifying the couple’s bond despite public scrutiny.

Their marriage lasted from 1950 to 1957, but Isabella reveals that the external pressure was immense. “They loved each other deeply, but the world wasn’t kind to them,” she explains. “Despite everything, they remained wonderful friends long after their split. Their love never truly faded, even if circumstances changed.”

Ingrid married three times in her lifetime, with her final union being to Lars Schmidt from 1958 until his passing in 1975. Tragically, the Academy Award-winning actress was diagnosed with cancer in 1974 and passed away on August 29, 1982.

Pia Lindström fondly remembers her mother’s personality. “She was funny, warm, and incredibly open,” Pia told Closer. “No one ever disliked our mom. She had a way of touching everyone she met.”

Remembering Ingrid Bergman on the 40th Anniversary of Her Passing

On the 40th anniversary of her mother’s death, Isabella honored the Hollywood legend. “If I could say anything to Mama, it would be ‘Thank you,’” she reflected in August 2022. “I think of her every single day. Time may pass, but as the years go by, I find myself understanding her even more. My admiration for my mom has only grown stronger.”

Read also:

Whos Next At Nbc Tom Llamas And Hallie Jackson In Line To Replace Lester Holt

“It’s not just admiration for her as an actress—that was always there,” Isabella clarifies. “But now, I truly understand the battles she fought as a human being. She was incredibly resilient and independent, and I’m so grateful for the example she set.”

Following in her mother’s footsteps, Isabella carved out a remarkable career in acting and eventually became a celebrated face of Lancôme. “I got my first cover of Vogue in 1982, the same year my mom passed away,” she reminisces. “She never got to see my success as an actress or witness me becoming a mother and grandmother. But I always loved her. She was my hero, always independent and strong.”