Ilona Staller

Ilona Staller, born on November 26, 1951, is a multifaceted figure known as Cicciolina, who has made her mark as a Hungarian-born Italian pornographic actress, singer, and politician. Staller gained notoriety not only for her performances in adult films but also for her unconventional approach to politics, famously delivering speeches with one breast exposed while serving in the Italian parliament.

After relocating to Italy, Staller met pornographer Riccardo Schicchi in the early 1970s, leading to her rise to fame with the 1973 radio show “Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?” on Radio Luna. It was during this time that she adopted her iconic stage name, Cicciolina, affectionately referring to her male fans and fellow parliament members as “cicciolini,” meaning "little tubby boys."

Her film career began in earnest in 1970, but her breakthrough came in 1975 with “La liceale,” where she portrayed a lesbian character. Staller made television history in 1978 when she became the first person to bare her breasts live on Italian TV during the RAI show “C'era due volte.” She entered the hardcore genre with “Telefono rosso” in 1983, produced alongside Schicchi's Diva Futura.

In 1987, she released her memoirs, “Confessioni erotiche di Cicciolina,” and starred in “Carne bollente,” which stirred controversy due to co-star John Holmes’ HIV status. Staller's appearances in international editions of Playboy began in 1988, and she continued to diversify her career with roles in films and television, including the Brazilian soap opera “Xica da Silva.” In 2008, she showcased her dancing skills as a contestant on the Argentine version of “Strictly Come Dancing.”