Anna Kanakis was an Italian actress, novelist, model and beauty pageant titleholder.
Kanakis in the movie 'O Re (1989)
Miss Italia is a beauty pageant awarding prizes every year to young, female contestants from Italy. Since the first edition of the contest, in 1939, many of the contestants have gone on to notable careers in television and film.
Image: Sophia Loren (third from left) in publicity images from the Miss Italia contest, 1950
Image: Naples, Miss Italia 1950 Sophia Loren
Image: A young Sophia Loren, aged 15, at a beauty contest in Naples, Italy
Image: Missitalia 1971.4