Italian actress Gina Lollobrigida auctioned off jewels from her prized collection Tuesday, helping to raise $4.9 million for stem cell research.
The actress, who is now 85-years-old,sold off 23 Bulgari gems, which she wore during several key moments in her career. According to The Daily Mail, the auction was held at Sotheby’s Geneva during the Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels sale.
A pair of diamond and pearl earrings drew the most attention, going for $2.39 million (£1.56 million). That smashed the record $1.98 million that Elizabeth Taylor’s Bulgari diamond and pearl earrings went for in 2011.
“Jewels are meant to give pleasure and for many years I had enormous pleasure wearing mine,” Lollobrigida said of the auctions, notes Starpulse. “Selling my jewels to help raise awareness of stem cell therapy, which can cure so many illnesses, seems to me a wonderful use to which to put them.”
“Sotheby’s was honoured to be entrusted with the sale and we are delighted that the results will contribute to the noble cause of stem cell research, reflecting Miss Lollobrigida’s great generosity of spirit and her humanitarian work,” David Bennett of Sotheby's commented.
Lollobrigida was an extremely popular actress throughout the 1950s and 1960s as a sex symbol. She appeared in films like Trapeze and Beat The Devil with Humphrey Bogart. She traveled to Geneva for the auction last night.