Porn Star Turned Italian Politician Loses Career Memorabilia in Burglary

ROME – Ilona Staller, the Hungarian-born porn star, singer and politician best known by her stage name, “Cicciolina,” reported this weekend that thieves broke into her garage in Rome and made away with all of the collected keepsakes and mementos from her colorful career.

Now 62, Cicciolina is still a household name in Italy. In the 1970s, she became one of the first Italian pornography actors to achieve mainstream success, acting in general audience films and launching a singing career. She was in Italy’s parliament for five years ending in 1992 and continued to act in porn films while in office, often delivering political speeches with one of her breasts exposed.

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In 2002 and 2006 she made headlines again, offering to sleep with Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein and al-Qaida founder Osama bin Laden, respectively, if they would lay down their arms and promote peace.

Now many of the keepsakes from her career — including film movies, DVDs, props from her films, artwork, records and other objects in her personal archive — have been stolen from a storage space Staller owns on the outskirts of Rome. In a statement, Staller said the thieves targeted only her storage garage, making off with many objects with a high value among her fans.

Police said an investigation into the crime is underway.

Twitter: @EricJLyman