All About Sophia Loren's 2 Children, Carlo Ponti Jr. and Edoardo Ponti

Sophia Loren is the mom of two children, Carlo Ponti Jr. and Edoardo Ponti, with her late husband Carlo Ponti

Composer Carlo Ponti (L) and director Edoardo Ponti (R) kiss actress Sophia Loren at AMPAS Tribute To Sophia Loren at AMPAS Samuel Goldwyn Theater on May 4, 2011 in Beverly Hills, California
Photo:

Vivien Killilea/WireImage

Sophia Loren isn't just one of the biggest names in Hollywood; she's also a proud mom.

The Italian star had two sons, Carlo Ponti Jr. and Edoardo Ponti, with her late movie producer husband Carlo Ponti, who died in January 2007.

Both of Loren's sons have paved successful career paths in the entertainment industry, with Edoardo similarly following in his parents' film-focused footsteps. Carlo Jr. pursued a career in music and is an accomplished orchestral conductor working in the United States.

For decades, Edoardo and Carlo Jr. have made appearances alongside Loren at various award shows and related events, accompanying their mom on the red carpet and speaking highly of her in interviews. Loren and Carlo Jr. have even worked together in recent years.

Now, Loren — who recently underwent surgery after suffering a fall at her home in Switzerland — continues to have the support of her children amid her medical concern, with both Edoardo and Carlo Jr. by their mother’s side at the hospital, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

A rep for the actress told PEOPLE the incident happened on Sept. 24 in the bathroom of her home in Geneva and that she suffered several fractures, including her femur and hip. However, the rep added that they are optimistic about Loren's recovery.

Here's everything to know about Loren and Ponti's kids, Carlo Ponti Jr. and Edoardo Ponti.

Carlo Ponti Jr.

Carlo Ponti Jr., Sophia Loren, and Edoardo Ponti during World Premiere of "The Fortunate Pilgrim" - March 28, 1988 at Lincoln Center in New York City
Carlo Ponti Jr. and mom Sophia Loren at the world premiere of "The Fortunate Pilgrim" in 1988.

Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Loren and Ponti welcomed their first child, son Carlo Ponti Jr., on Dec. 29, 1968, in Geneva, Switzerland. Shortly after he was born, the pair introduced him to the world in 1969.

"I think this was about a week after Carlo Jr. was born," Loren recalled to PEOPLE of the famed image that featured a crowd of press taking photos of Loren and her baby in a hospital room. "There were so many photographers that we could not give it exclusive to one."

"So the doctor said, 'We have a room where we operate, and there's a balcony all around. You can come in with the child and they can take pictures,'" she remembered.

Carlo Ponti Jr. and his mother Sophia Loren during the European Cultural Award 'Taurus' ( Europaeischer Kulturpreis Taurus ) at Vienna State Opera on October 20, 2019 in Vienna, Austria
Carlo Ponti Jr. and mom Sophia Loren at the European Cultural Award 'Taurus' in 2019.

Gisela Schober/Getty

Loren once described Carlos Jr. to PEOPLE as "a little bit like me." A few characteristics she used to describe him were "shy, keeps things inside, laughs" and "is funny." When speaking with Turner Classic Movies in 2021, Carlos Jr. looked back on his childhood and his mother's fame.

"I don't really remember when I realized my mother was a legendary film icon," Carlo Jr. said in the clip. "I think I might've gradually realized it as I grew older because we did have some famous actor guests come in the house," citing Sylvester Stallone in the 1970s as an example.

Carlo Jr. became a music conductor, which Loren once told PEOPLE he "does very well." Though Italian, he is currently based in the United States. He worked at the Conductor's Institute in Connecticut, later spent time in Los Angeles and furthered his musical education at the Vienna Music Academy in Austria.

Sophia Loren and Carlo Ponti Jr. during Sophia Loren and Martha Stewart Attend the Russian National Orchestra's 15th Anniversary at St. Regis Hotel in New York City
Carlo Ponti Jr. and mom Sophia Loren at the Russuan National Orchestra's 15th Anniversary.

Desiree Navarro/FilmMagic

The maestro has also released several bodies of work that have earned him accolades and awards, in addition to amassing coverage across various media outlets. In 2014, Carlo Jr. founded the Los Angeles Virtuosi Orchestra, an ensemble "devoted to the advocacy and support of music education."

Carlo Jr. married musician Andrea Meszaros in 2004. A musician in her own right, Meszaros studied at the Vienna Music Academy where she was classically trained in violin. Though currently a violin instructor, she has spent time performing in various orchestras across Southern California.

In 2007, Carlo Jr. and Meszaros welcomed their first child, a son named Vittorio Leone.

Edoardo Ponti

Edoardo Ponti and Sophia Loren attend a photocall to present Cannes Classics at the 67th Annual Cannes Film Festival on May 21, 2014 in Cannes, France
Edoardo Ponti and mom Sophia Loren at the 67th Annual Cannes Film Festival in 2014.

Anthony Harvey/FilmMagic

Loren and Ponti welcomed their second child, son Edoardo Ponti, on Jan. 6, 1973, in Geneva, Switzerland. While the Italian star compared Carlo Jr. to herself, she said Edoardo is similar to her sibling, Maria Scicolone.

"Edoardo is like my sister," she once told PEOPLE, noting he is "outgoing" and "sings very well." In addition, she noted that he "wants to be a director," which is exactly what he became when he grew older.

Following in his father's footsteps, Edoardo has created a career as a director and writer. He is widely known for his work on 2002's Between Strangers and 2014's Human Voice. More recently, Loren teamed up with her son in his 2020 film, La vita davanti a sé (The Life Ahead).

Sophia Loren and son Edoardo Ponti arrive at the premiere of DIRECTV's 'Dark Places' at Harmony Gold Theatre on July 21, 2015 in Los Angeles
Edoardo Ponti and mom Sophia Loren at the premiere of "Dark Places" in 2015.

Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

The Italian movie marked Loren's first film in over a decade. She starred as Madame Rose, a Holocaust survivor who befriends a 12-year-old Senegalese boy. Prior, Loren last appeared on the big screen in the 2009 musical Nine, opposite Nicole Kidman and Penélope Cruz.

Ahead of the film's release, Loren praised her then 46-year-old son for not letting her do "anything but her best" on screen. “He knows me so well," she said of Edoardo, per Variety.

"He knows every inch of my face, my heart, my soul. He will only move on to the next shot when I hit my deepest truth,” she continued. Meanwhile, Edoardo spoke highly of his mom, too.

Carlo Ponti Jr., Sophia Loren, and Edoardo Ponti during World Premiere of "The Fortunate Pilgrim" - March 28, 1988 at Lincoln Center in New York City
Edoardo Ponti, Carlo Ponti Jr. and their mom Sophia Loren at the world premiere of "The Fortunate Pilgrim" in 1988.

Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

“At 84 she wants to put it all on the line to make a movie that is so deep, so challenging, both emotionally and physically,” Edoardo said of Loren. “The energy and passion with which she approaches every scene is a marvel to watch.”

In 2007, Edoardo wed actress Sasha Alexander. A year prior, they welcomed their first child, daughter Lucia Sofia Ponti.

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