BC-Obit-Ponti,0097
URGENT
Family: Italian producer Carlo Ponti, husband of Sophia Loren, has died
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ROME (AP) - Carlo Ponti, the Italian producer and husband of
Sophia Loren, died overnight in a hospital in Switzerland, his
family said Wednesday. He was 94.
Ponti had been hospitalized about 10 days ago in Geneva for
pulmonary complications, the family said in a statement. The cause
of death was not immediately known.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

AP-NY-01-10-07 0636EST

BC-Obit-Ponti, 1st Ld,0255
URGENT
Family: Italian producer Carlo Ponti, husband of Sophia Loren, has
died
Eds: UPDATES with background on Ponti's career, marriage;. Moving
on general news and entertainment services.
ROME (AP) - Carlo Ponti, the Italian producer and husband of
Sophia Loren, died overnight in a hospital in Switzerland, his
family said Wednesday. He was 94.
Ponti had been hospitalized about 10 days ago in Geneva for
pulmonary complications, the family said in a statement. The cause
of death was not immediately known.
Ponti worked with well-known directors, including Federico
Fellini, Jean-Luc Godard and David Lean.
Born near Milan in 1913, Ponti studied law and worked as a
lawyer before making his move into film production.
He was nominated for an Oscar as producer of "Doctor Zhivago"
in 1965. Other well-known films produced by Ponti included
"Blow-Up," "The Cassandra Crossing," "The Verdict" and "The
Squeeze."
Ponti was married to his first wife, Giuliana, when he met
Loren, who was almost 25 years younger than he, in about 1950.
They tried to keep their relationship a secret in spite of huge
media interest, while Ponti's lawyers went to Mexico to obtain a
divorce.
Ponti and Loren were married by proxy in Mexico in 1957 - two
male attorneys took their place. The couple only found out about
their marriage when the news was broken by a society columnist.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

AP-NY-01-10-07 0640EST