Marina Ripa di Meana

Marina Ripa di Meana (born Maria Elide Punturieri and previously known as Marina Lante della Rovere; 21 October 1941 – 5 January 2018) was an Italian socialite, writer, actress, director, stylist, activist and TV personality. Early life Ripa di Meana was born and grew up in Reggio Calabria. Her parents were Lionello Punturieri and Vittorina Bedoni. One of her parents was a lawyer in Rome. Career On completing studies in her hometown, Ripa di Meana opened a fashion boutique in Piazza di Spagna, in Rome, in partnership with her friend Paola Ruffo di Calabria. The store was frequented by influential women of high society and Ripa di Meana became involved with leading political, diplomatic, artistic and media figures. From the 1970s she began to appear on television as a commentator and panel member in debates on politics, the environment and the defense of animals. In 1979 she appeared in a film, Assassinio sul Tevere, directed by Bruno Corbucci, however she declined to continue in films as she said she disliked being commanded. She did however direct a feature film, Cattive ragazze, starring Eva Grimaldi, in 1992. The film attracted some controversy as it had received public funds, allegedly through personal friendships. In 2009 Ripa di Meana participated in a reality TV show, The Farm, and played herself in an episode of the television series I Cesaroni.