Borelli, Lyda (1884-1959)

Borelli, Lyda

ACTOR (ITALY)

BORN 22 Mar 1884, Genova, Liguria: Rivarolo Ligure - DIED 1 Jun 1959, Roma, Lazio
GRAVE LOCATION Ferrara, Emilia-Romagna: Cimitero Monumentale della Certosa (Area Giordani, 0066 (mausoleum))

Lyda Borelli was the daughter of the actors Napoleone Borelli and Cesira Banti Borelli. Her older sister was the actress Alda Borelli. She debuted on the stage in 1902 and soon became a favourite of Gabriele d'Annunzio. She performed in his "La Figlia di Jorio" and he dedicated two books to her. Around 1908 she was seen as a fashion icon. In 1909 she stared her own company with Ruggeri Ruggeri and they toured South America in 1909 and in 1914.

In 1913 she made her first film "Ma l'amor mio non muore", directed by Mario Caserini. It was a great success and many films followed until 1918. She often played vamps and her sensuality captured her audiences. In Italy borelissimo meant that girls went on diets and tried to imitate her poses to look like her. In 1918 she married Vittorio Cini, count of Monselice (1885-1977). She ended her career and they had four children together. Vittorio held high positions under the fascist regime. In 1943 he turned against Mussolini. The SS arrested him and he was sent to the concentration camp in Dachau, but he was released after bribery by his son Giorgio.

Giorgio died in 1949 near Cannes in a plane crash. Lyda Borelli died in Rome in 1959 and Vittorio died in 1977. They were all buried in Ferrara.

Family
• Son: Cini, Giorgio

Related persons
• has a connection with D'Annunzio, Gabriele

Images
The grave of Lyda Borelli at the Cimitero Monumentale della Certosa in Ferrara. Picture by Androom (20 Feb 2019)	The grave of Lyda Borelli at the Cimitero Monumentale della Certosa in Ferrara. Picture by Androom (20 Feb 2019)