Sex symbol and La Dolce Vita icon Anita Ekberg dies at 83

Swedish born actress died in Rome on Sunday following a series of illnesses.

16:00 12 January 2015

La Dolce Vita actress Anita Ekberg has died at the age of 83. The iconic star passed away on Sunday following “a series of illnesses.”

Her lawyer, Patrizia Ubaldi, has confirmed that the actress, who is best remembered in an iconic scene in Federico Fellini's La Dolce Vita where she wore a strapless black dress, passed away in Rome.

Ubaldi said that Ekberg was saddened by her illness and her advancing age during her last days.

'She had hoped to get better, something that didn't happen,' she said.

She added that the actress family will honour her last wishes to be cremated. A ceremony will be held in the coming days at a Lutheran church in Rome.

Speaking to a Swedish radio program in 2005, Ekberg talked about shooting that classic scene in Federio Fellini’s La Dolce Vita that paved the way for her stardom. She said that it was shot in February.

'And there I was. I was freezing,' she said. 'They had to lift me out of the water because I couldn't feel my legs anymore.'

'I have seen that scene a few times. Maybe too many times. I can't stand watching it anymore, but it was beautiful at the time,' she said.