Remembering Gina Lollobrigida: Memories of a superstar in Queens

by Jessica Meditz · January 25, 2023

By Walter Karling

2 unidentified women; Queens Borough President Donald Manes; Gina Lollobrigida; Bishop Anthony Bevilacqua of the Diocese of Brooklyn [He later became a Cardinal]; and Queens District Attorney John Santucci.

As you probably know, the great Italian actress Gina Lollobrigida recently died.

I checked through my archives and found some photos I shot of her at an event entitled “Vita Italia,” which was held 42 years ago on February 26, 1981. This took place at the Terrace on the Park.

I remember the late Vincent Iannece, father of now Judge Jerry Iannece, the president of the Federation of Italian-American Organizations of Queens calling me at the last minute about her appearing there.

I have no idea what the event was about but I hustled over anyway and got some photos. I scanned these from my negatives.