Global Sex Symbol: Rare Photos of Monica Bellucci (26 Photos)
Monica Bellucci’s doting father often insisted that his daughter's journey was the ultimate real-life ugly duckling tale. He never hesitated to admit that, growing up, today’s screen goddess was quite plain and awkward.
As a young girl, Monica never wore her hair long. Her parents always kept her hair cropped short, and looking at the actress's luscious, flowing tresses today, it is hard to believe she once sported a boyish buzz cut.
Monica learned to channel her magnetic presence as early as age 12, and even a short haircut could not hold her back. She would slip into high heels, put on makeup, and wrap a vibrant turban around her head to mask her completely unfeminine hairstyle. 
Monica Bellucci photographed by Chico Bialas for Vanity Fair, 1996. 
An 18-year-old Monica Bellucci. This was one of the actress’s earliest portraits to go viral. Stylist Piero Montanucci crafted her look and first opened the doors of show business for her. 
Monica Bellucci at 18. 
The actress captured by Vincent Peters for Io Donna, August 2010. 
Photo by Pamela Hanson, 1994. 
Photo by Pamela Hanson, 1994. 
Photo by Pamela Hanson, 1994. 
Shot by Peter Lindbergh for GQ, 2002. Monica Bellucci was 38 at the time. 
Bellucci captured by legendary photographer Helmut Newton. 
Also photographed by Helmut Newton. 
A gothic Monica Bellucci through the lens of Marcel Hartmann, 2005. 
Photograph by Fabrizio Ferri for Esquire, January 1, 2001. 
Monica Bellucci for ELLE Russia, 2011. 
Breakfast with Monica Bellucci. Photo by fashion photographer Bettina Rheims. November 1995, Paris. 
Captured by Simon Hawk. 
The Italian actress in Terry Gilliam's “The Brothers Grimm,” 2005. 
Monica Bellucci and Vincent Cassel, photographed by Jean-Baptiste Mondino. 
Photo: Jean-Baptiste Mondino. 
Photo by Chico Bialas. 
Photo by Chico Bialas. 
Modeling for Dolce&Gabbana, 1992. 
Photoshoot for Dolce&Gabbana, 1992. 
Monica Bellucci for ELLE France, January 2004. 
Photoshoot by Adrian Green.
