View source for Monica Bellucci

{{short description|Italian actress and model (born 1964)}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2023}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = Monica Bellucci
| image              = File:Monica Bellucci-63654.jpg
| caption            = Bellucci in 2024
| birth_name         = Monica Anna Maria Bellucci
| birth_date         = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1964|9|30}}
| birth_place        = {{lang|it|[[Città di Castello]]|italic=no}}, Umbria, Italy
| death_date         = <!-- {{Death date and age|df=yes|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} Death date then birth -->
| occupation         = {{hlist|Actress|fashion model}}
| years_active       = 1980–present
| height             = {{height|ft=5|in=9}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.karinmodelsparis.com/talent/monica-bellucci-42039 |title=Monica Bellucci |website=Karin Models agency |location=Paris |access-date=13 March 2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313181211/https://www.karinmodelsparis.com/talent/monica-bellucci-42039 |archive-date=13 March 2023}}</ref>
| spouse             = {{ubl|{{marriage|Claudio Carlos Basso|1990|1994|reason=divorced}}|{{marriage|[[Vincent Cassel]]|1999|2013|reason=divorced}}}}
| children           = 2; including [[Deva Cassel]]
| partner            = [[Tim Burton]] (2023–present)
| works              = [[List of Monica Bellucci performances|Full list]]
| awards             = [[List of awards and nominations received by Monica Bellucci|Full list]]
}}

'''Monica Anna Maria Bellucci''' ({{IPA|it|ˈmɔːnika belˈluttʃi|lang}}; born 30 September 1964) is an Italian actress and model who began her career as a fashion model before working in Italian, American, and French films. She has an eclectic [[List of Monica Bellucci performances|filmography]] in a range of genres and languages, and her [[List of awards and nominations received by Monica Bellucci|accolades]] include the [[David di Donatello]], [[Globo d'oro]] and [[Nastro d'Argento]] awards. In 2018, ''[[Forbes|Forbes Italy]]'' included her in their list of the 100 most successful Italian women.

Bellucci was represented by [[Elite Model Management]] and modelled for [[Dolce & Gabbana]] campaigns. She made her acting debut in the Italian television miniseries {{lang|it|[[Vita coi figli]]}} (1991); she went on to play one of [[Dracula's brides]] in the horror film ''[[Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992 film)|Bram Stoker's Dracula]]'' (1992) and then enrolled in acting classes. After appearing in Italian productions, she had her breakthrough role in ''[[The Apartment (1996 film)|The Apartment]]'' (1996), for which she received a [[César Award]] nomination for [[César Award for Most Promising Actress|Most Promising Actress]]. Bellucci came to the attention of American audiences in ''[[Under Suspicion (2000 film)|Under Suspicion]]'' (2000) and gained greater international recognition as {{lang|it|Malèna Scordia|italic=no}} in {{lang|it|[[Malèna (film)|Malèna]]}} (2000). Bellucci starred in the period horror ''[[Brotherhood of the Wolf]]'' (2001) and the comedy ''[[Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra]]'' (2002). She portrayed a rape victim in the controversial thriller {{lang|fr|[[Irréversible]]}} (2002), and [[Persephone (The Matrix)|Persephone]] in the 2003 science-fiction films ''[[The Matrix Reloaded]]'' and ''[[The Matrix Revolutions]]''.

Bellucci was praised for her portrayal of [[Mary Magdalene]] in the drama ''[[The Passion of the Christ]]'' (2004). She played a prostitute in ''[[How Much Do You Love Me?]]'' (2005) and ''[[Shoot 'Em Up (film)|Shoot 'Em Up]]'' (2007), and acted in diverse roles in other films, including ''[[The Whistleblower]]'' (2010), ''[[The Ages of Love]]'' (2011), and ''[[The Wonders (film)|The Wonders]]'' (2014). Her role in ''[[Ville-Marie (film)|Ville-Marie]]'' (2015) earned her the [[Dublin Film Critics' Circle]] Award for Best Actress. At the age of 50, Bellucci appeared in the [[James Bond]] film ''[[Spectre (2015 film)|Spectre]]'' (2015), becoming the oldest [[Bond girl]] in the history of the franchise. She later appeared in films such as ''[[On the Milky Road]]'' (2016), ''[[The Man Who Sold His Skin]]'' (2020), and ''[[Beetlejuice Beetlejuice]]'' (2024). On television, she has acted in ''[[Mozart in the Jungle]]'' (2016) and ''[[Call My Agent!]]'' (2018). She made her stage debut in 2019 as [[Maria Callas]] in ''Letters and Memoirs''.

Bellucci starred alongside her second husband [[Vincent Cassel]] in on-screen partnerships that spanned ten years. She has remained involved in modelling, and worked as a [[brand ambassador]] for luxury brands such as [[Cartier (jeweler)|Cartier]] and [[Dior]]. Some media outlets have labelled Bellucci a [[sex symbol]]. Bellucci received the knight insignias of the French [[Ordre des Arts et des Lettres|Order of Arts and Letters]] in 2006 and of the French [[Legion of Honour]] in 2016. She represents Italy as a permanent member of the [[Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences]].<!-- PER WP:LEADCITE, INFO IN THE LEAD IS CITED IN THE BODY -->

==Early life==
Monica Anna Maria Bellucci was born in {{lang|it|[[Città di Castello]]|italic=no}}, Umbria, Italy, on 30 September 1964.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lussier |first=Marc-André |date=1 October 2015 |title=Monica Bellucci: l'envie d'émotions fortes |trans-title=Monica Bellucci: the desire for strong emotions |url=https://www.lapresse.ca/cinema/cinema-quebecois/entrevues/201510/01/01-4905589-monica-bellucci-lenvie-demotions-fortes.php |url-status=live |language=fr-CA |newspaper=[[La Presse (Canadian newspaper)|La Presse]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230729210502/https://www.lapresse.ca/cinema/cinema-quebecois/entrevues/201510/01/01-4905589-monica-bellucci-lenvie-demotions-fortes.php |archive-date=29 July 2023 |access-date=14 August 2023 |url-access=registration}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Silvestri |first=Giuseppe |date=6 December 2019 |title=Monica Bellucci, la 55enne che fa impazzire il mondo |trans-title=Monica Bellucci, the 55-year-old who is driving the world crazy |url=https://corrieredellumbria.corr.it/gallery/spettacoli/1322219/monica-bellucci-foto-55-anni-icona-bellezza-citta-castello-umbra-umbria-look-cinema-moda-modella-attrice-tifernate-fotografie-scatti-sexy-sensuale-impazzire-mondo.html |language=it |url-status=dead |newspaper=[[Corriere dell'Umbria]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814151446/https://corrieredellumbria.corr.it/gallery/spettacoli/1322219/monica-bellucci-foto-55-anni-icona-bellezza-citta-castello-umbra-umbria-look-cinema-moda-modella-attrice-tifernate-fotografie-scatti-sexy-sensuale-impazzire-mondo.html |archive-date=14 August 2020 |access-date=4 June 2023}}</ref>{{cbignore}}<ref name="Express2013-04-11">{{cite magazine |last=Lévy-Frébault |first=Tiphaine |date=11 October 2013 |orig-date=First published 11 April 2013 |title=Monica Bellucci est célibataire |trans-title=Monica Bellucci is single |url=https://www.lexpress.fr/styles/diapo-photo/styles/decryptage-people/monica-bellucci-star-libre_1239117.html |url-status=live |language=fr |magazine=[[L'Express]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219190620/https://www.lexpress.fr/styles/diapo-photo/styles/decryptage-people/monica-bellucci-star-libre_1239117.html |archive-date=19 February 2023 |access-date=26 February 2023}}</ref>{{excessive citations inline|date=May 2024|reason=Do this simple sentence need three citations?}} Her father Pasquale Bellucci owned a trucking company, and her mother Brunella Briganti was a housewife and amateur painter. Bellucci was the only child in her family since her parents did not want another one.<ref name="Williams2017">{{cite news |last=Williams |first=Sally |date=15 July 2017 |title=Monica Bellucci on life after divorce and finding herself in her 50s |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2017/07/15/monica-bellucci-life-divorce-finding-50s/ |url-status=live |language=en-GB |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220521181620/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2017/07/15/monica-bellucci-life-divorce-finding-50s/ |archive-date=21 May 2022 |access-date=26 November 2023 |url-access=registration}}</ref><ref name="Christopher2014">{{cite news |author=Christopher R. |date=11 December 2014 |title=Monica Bellucci à 18 ans: La nymphe italienne, beauté incandescente et naturelle |trans-title=Monica Bellucci at 18: The Italian nymph, incandescent and natural beauty |url=https://www.purepeople.com/article/monica-bellucci-a-18-ans-la-nymphe-italienne-beaute-incandescente-et-naturelle_a152009/1 |url-status=live |language=fr |department=Interview with Pasquale Bellucci and Brunella Briganti |work=Purepeople |publisher=[[Webedia]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221117013622/https://www.purepeople.com/article/monica-bellucci-a-18-ans-la-nymphe-italienne-beaute-incandescente-et-naturelle_a152009/1 |archive-date=17 November 2022 |access-date=4 February 2024}}</ref> Bellucci grew up in {{lang|it|Selci-Lama|italic=no}},<ref>{{cite news |last=Couvreur |first=Daniel |date=14 January 2020 |title=Monica Bellucci, star des Magritte |trans-title=Monica Bellucci, Magritte star |url=https://www.lesoir.be/272921/article/2020-01-14/monica-bellucci-star-des-magritte |url-status=live |language=fr |newspaper=[[Le Soir]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231112162158/https://www.lesoir.be/272921/article/2020-01-14/monica-bellucci-star-des-magritte |archive-date=12 November 2023 |access-date=17 November 2023 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> in the {{lang|it|[[comune]]}} (municipality) of [[San Giustino]] on the banks of the [[Tiber|Tiber River]].{{efn|"{{lang|it|Selci|italic=no}}" and "{{lang|it|Lama|italic=no}}" are two [[toponyms]] together designating a {{lang|it|[[frazione]]}} ([[Hamlet (place)|hamlet]]) of [[San Giustino]].<ref name="Carnovalini2013"/>}}<ref name="Carnovalini2013">{{cite news |last=Carnovalini |first=Riccardo |date=19 January 2013 |title=In marcia alla scoperta |trans-title=On the march to discover |url=https://www.lastampa.it/torino/2013/01/19/news/in-marcia-alla-scoperta-1.36130007/ |url-status=live |language=it |newspaper=[[La Stampa]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231117191620/https://www.lastampa.it/torino/2013/01/19/news/in-marcia-alla-scoperta-1.36130007/ |archive-date=17 November 2023 |access-date=17 November 2023}}</ref>

Bellucci received a [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] education.<ref name="Morgoglione">{{cite news |last=Morgoglione |first=Claudia |date=17 October 2006 |title=L'altra faccia di Monica Bellucci 'Ma quella sono proprio io?' |trans-title=The other side of Monica Bellucci 'But is that really me?' |url=https://www.repubblica.it/2006/10/sezioni/spettacoli_e_cultura/cinema/roma/bellucci-concile/bellucci-concile/bellucci-concile.html |url-status=live |language=it |newspaper=[[la Repubblica]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070626093439/https://www.repubblica.it/2006/10/sezioni/spettacoli_e_cultura/cinema/roma/bellucci-concile/bellucci-concile/bellucci-concile.html |archive-date=26 June 2007 |access-date=17 February 2023 |quote=See: 5th paragraph.}}</ref> She was an "intelligent child".<ref name="Gaynor2009">{{cite news |last=Flynn |first=Gaynor |date=10 August 2009 |title=Monica Bellucci's beautiful mind |url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/monica-belluccis-beautiful-mind-20090810-ees3.html |url-status=live |newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726094840/https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/monica-belluccis-beautiful-mind-20090810-ees3.html |archive-date=26 July 2021 |access-date=27 January 2024}}</ref> According to her father, she was discreet and increasingly interested in fashion, and grew up "surrounded by love".<ref name="Christopher2014"/> Bellucci was introduced to modelling at age 13 when she posed for a photographer friend-of-the-family in {{lang|it|Città di Castello|italic=no}}.<ref>{{cite news |date=24 August 2017 |title=Monica Bellucci posta una foto su Instagram di quando aveva 13 anni: era già una incredibile bellezza |trans-title=Monica Bellucci posts a photo on Instagram from when she was 13: she was already an incredible beauty |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.it/2016/04/15/monica-bellucci-foto-instgram_n_9701630.html |url-status=live |language=it |work=[[HuffPost]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230219155959/https://www.huffingtonpost.it/2016/04/15/monica-bellucci-foto-instgram_n_9701630.html |archive-date=19 February 2023 |access-date=19 February 2023}}</ref> She was distant from other children her age, regularly made detours to get home after school,<ref name="Christopher2014"/> and did not spend time with them in the {{lang|it|comune}}'s public space. Bellucci's father said she complained that everyone stared at her.<ref name="Christopher2014"/><ref name="Hattersley2015">{{cite magazine |last=Hattersley |first=Giles |author-link=Giles Hattersley |date=22 February 2015 |title=The spy who loved me {{!}} Not Shaken or Stirred |department=Interview |magazine=Style ([[The Sunday Times]] supplement) |location=London, UK |publisher=[[News UK#Operations|Times Newspapers Ltd]] |page=24 |oclc=1368155993 |quote=Her father, Pasquale, said: One day, I asked her why she didn't want to be in the square with the others, and she said, 'When I go in the ''piazza'', everyone looks at me. The men look at me. The women look at me. All the kids from school. I feel ashamed.'&nbsp;... She had a starter marriage to a photographer in the early 1990s}}</ref> Her father helped her gain self-confidence.<ref name="Christopher2014"/>

Bellucci developed a taste for cinema, watching films by [[Vittorio De Sica]], [[Federico Fellini]], [[Roberto Rossellini]], [[Luchino Visconti]], {{lang|fr|[[Marcel Carné]]|italic=no}}, and [[Jean-Luc Godard]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Bradfer |first=Fabienne |date=25 January 2020 |title=Monica Bellucci au 'Soir': 'J'ai mis ma beauté au service du cinéma' |trans-title=Monica Bellucci to 'Le Soir': 'I have put my beauty at the service of cinema' |url=https://www.lesoir.be/275210/article/2020-01-25/monica-bellucci-au-soir-jai-mis-ma-beaute-au-service-du-cinema |url-status=live |language=fr |newspaper=Le Soir |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230402205458/https://www.lesoir.be/275210/article/2020-01-25/monica-bellucci-au-soir-jai-mis-ma-beaute-au-service-du-cinema |archive-date=2 April 2023 |access-date=7 October 2023 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> Bellucci has said her personality largely reflects her upbringing: "Certainly a lot of positivity also depends on the climate in which my parents raised me".<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Laura Giovagnini |first=Maria |date=6 August 2010 |title='Ottengo sempre quello che voglio' |trans-title=I always get what I want |url=https://cinema-tv.corriere.it/cinema/10_agosto_06/intervista-monica-bellucci-io-donna-giovagnini_b655b294-a152-11df-9bff-00144f02aabe.shtml |url-status=live |language=it |department=Interview |magazine=[[IO Donna]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171109105200/https://cinema-tv.corriere.it/cinema/10_agosto_06/intervista-monica-bellucci-io-donna-giovagnini_b655b294-a152-11df-9bff-00144f02aabe.shtml |archive-date=9 November 2017 |access-date=12 February 2023 |via=[[Corriere della Sera]]}}</ref>

==Modeling career==
===1980s and 1990s===

At age 16, Bellucci was asked to pose for [[Fashion photography|photography sessions]] by her father's friend, the director of a fashion agency.<ref name="Williams2017"/><ref name="Hélie2018">{{cite magazine |last=Hélie |first=Mathilde |date=19 January 2018 |title=Monica Bellucci: ses photos quand elle était jeune |trans-title=Monica Bellucci: her photos when she was young |url=https://www.parismatch.com/People/Monica-Bellucci-ses-photos-quand-elle-etait-jeune-1441268 |url-status=live |language=fr |magazine=[[Paris Match]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230219173948/https://www.parismatch.com/People/Monica-Bellucci-ses-photos-quand-elle-etait-jeune-1441268%2315 |archive-date=19 February 2023 |access-date=24 November 2023|trans-quote=Spotted by the Elite agency, she signed a contract in 1989.}}</ref> Having begun her modelling career, Bellucci periodically travelled to [[Milan]] and [[Paris]] while continuing her studies at {{lang|it|Città di Castello|italic=no}}.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Gianorio |first=Richard |date=24 April 2020 |title=Monica Bellucci: 'Mes filles sont les réponses à toutes mes questions' |trans-title=Monica Bellucci: 'My daughters are the answers to all my questions' |url=https://madame.lefigaro.fr/celebrites/monica-bellucci-mes-filles-sont-les-reponses-a-toutes-mes-questions-160420-180715 |url-status=live |language=fr |magazine=[[Madame Figaro]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230814182502/https://madame.lefigaro.fr/celebrites/monica-bellucci-mes-filles-sont-les-reponses-a-toutes-mes-questions-160420-180715 |archive-date=14 August 2023 |access-date=4 February 2024}}</ref> According to Bellucci: "I approached the adult universe very early" because she worked with models ten years older than herself.<ref>{{cite news |last=Gurrey |first=Béatrice |date=16 February 2020 |title=Monica Bellucci: 'L'essentiel du travail d'artiste se fait dans la solitude' |trans-title=Monica Bellucci: 'Most of the work of an artist is done in solitude' |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/culture/article/2020/02/16/monica-bellucci-l-essentiel-du-travail-d-artiste-se-fait-dans-la-solitude_6029736_3246.html |url-status=live |language=fr |newspaper=Le Monde |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220821163100/https://www.lemonde.fr/culture/article/2020/02/16/monica-bellucci-l-essentiel-du-travail-d-artiste-se-fait-dans-la-solitude_6029736_3246.html |archive-date=21 August 2022 |access-date=18 November 2023 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> Bellucci said: "Modelling came to me naturally, and I loved pictures. I loved the world of image".<ref name="Williams2017"/>

While hitchhiking, Bellucci met Piero Montanucci, a hairdresser from {{lang|it|Città di Castello|italic=no}}, who persuaded her to become his model. Bellucci, a student at the {{lang|it|[[liceo classico]]}}, attracted attention wherever they went due to her striking appearance.<ref>{{cite news |date=16 November 2017 |title=Pettine E Forbibi. I Quaranta Anni di Attivita' di Piero Montanucci |trans-title=Comb And Scissors. Piero Montanucci's Forty Years of Activity |url=https://comune.cittadicastello.pg.it/archivio10_notizie-e-comunicati_0_2619.html |url-status=live |language=it |department=Interview |work=[[Città di Castello|Comune di Città di Castello]] |agency=Agenzia Stampa del Comune di Città di Castello |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228190512/https://comune.cittadicastello.pg.it/archivio10_notizie-e-comunicati_0_2619.html |archive-date=28 February 2023 |access-date=4 October 2023}}</ref> She was considered a local model.<ref name="Hattersley2015"/> Bellucci studied philosophy, literature, Latin and Greek.<ref name="Douin2004">{{cite news |last=Douin |first=Jean-Luc |date=26 March 2004 |title=Monica Bellucci, 'Italienne à 100%?' |trans-title=Monica Bellucci, '100% Italian?' |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/archives/article/2004/03/26/monica-bellucci-italienne-a-100_4298369_1819218.html |url-status=live |language=fr |department=Interview |newspaper=[[Le Monde]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231125161955/https://www.lemonde.fr/archives/article/2004/03/26/monica-bellucci-italienne-a-100_4298369_1819218.html |archive-date=25 November 2023 |access-date=26 November 2023 |url-access=subscription |trans-quote=She was born in Citta di Castello&nbsp;...  "I am 100% Italian, I am proud of it; brunette, Latin, I claim it".}}</ref> In 1983, Bellucci was dressed by {{lang|it|Città di Castello|italic=no}}-based fashion entrepreneur Pina Alberti and modelled at a fashion show at the {{lang|it|Teatro degli Illuminati}}, the city's municipal theatre, as part of an event called Momento Donna, which [[Maria Giovanna Elmi]] hosted. Montanucci, her mentor at the time,<ref name="Christopher2014"/> accompanied Bellucci to the event.<ref>{{cite news |date=8 March 2023 |title=Fu la prima a 'vestire' Monica Bellucci, premiata Pina Alberti |trans-title=She was the first to 'dress' Monica Bellucci, awarded Pina Alberti |url=https://www.ansa.it/umbria/notizie/2023/03/08/fu-la-prima-a-vestire-monica-bellucci-premiata-pina-alberti_e54948dc-ee84-4e98-b882-7b5456d7e968.html |url-status=live |language=it |work=[[Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230309081450/https://www.ansa.it/umbria/notizie/2023/03/08/fu-la-prima-a-vestire-monica-bellucci-premiata-pina-alberti_e54948dc-ee84-4e98-b882-7b5456d7e968.html |archive-date=9 March 2023 |access-date=4 February 2024}}</ref> While in high school, Bellucci's father's friend allowed her to debut on the [[Fashion show#Catwalk|catwalk]] during a fashion show in [[Florence]] and at another in Milan.<ref name="Williams2017"/><ref name="Hélie2018"/>

Bellucci studied law at the [[University of Perugia]], aiming to become a lawyer.<ref name="Gaynor2009"/><ref name="Salisbury2005">{{cite news |last=Salisbury |first=Mark |date=23 October 2005 |title=Danger woman |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2005/oct/23/features.magazine |language=en-GB |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220816122858/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2005/oct/23/features.magazine |archive-date=16 August 2022 |access-date=27 January 2024}}</ref> She financed her studies by working as a model<ref name="Gaynor2009"/> through her father's friend.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=n.d. |title=Monica Bellucci |url=https://www.elle.fr/Personnalites/Monica-Bellucci |url-status=live |language=fr |magazine=[[Elle (magazine)|Elle]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203183429/https://www.elle.fr/Personnalites/Monica-Bellucci |archive-date=3 February 2023 |access-date=1 March 2023}}</ref> After a friend of Bellucci encouraged her to apply to modelling agencies during her studies,<ref name="Gaynor2009"/> she moved to Milan, one of [[Fashion in Milan|Europe's fashion centres]].<ref name="VF2014-05-26">{{cite magazine |date=26 May 2014 |title=Monica Bellucci: 'Vivo a Parigi, ma mi sento figlia dell'Europa' |trans-title=Monica Bellucci: 'I live in Paris, but I feel like a daughter of Europe' |url=https://www.vanityfair.it/show/cinema/2014/05/26/monica-bellucci-vivo-a-parigi-ma-mi-sento-figlia-delleuropa |url-status=live |language=it |magazine=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231124170247/https://www.vanityfair.it/show/cinema/2014/05/26/monica-bellucci-vivo-a-parigi-ma-mi-sento-figlia-delleuropa |archive-date=24 November 2023 |access-date=2 January 2024 |trans-quote=Monica Bellucci was born on 30 September 1964 in Città di Castello, Umbria.}}</ref><ref name="Airoldi2017">{{cite magazine |last=Airoldi |first=Simona |date=4 June 2017 |title=Piero Piazzi, l'uomo che sussurra alle top |trans-title=Piero Piazzi, the man who whispers to the tops |url=https://www.vanityfair.it/fashion/news-fashion/2017/06/04/piero-piazzi-elite-model-look-intervista-luomo-che-sussurra-alle-top-model |url-status=live |language=it |magazine=Vanity Fair |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826023236/https://www.vanityfair.it/fashion/news-fashion/2017/06/04/piero-piazzi-elite-model-look-intervista-luomo-che-sussurra-alle-top-model |archive-date=26 August 2018 |access-date=18 November 2023}}</ref> Modelling agent [[Piero Piazzi]] saw Bellucci's arrival at the [[Elite Model Management]] agency and thought she could have been an actress.<ref name="Airoldi2017"/> Piazzi had been critical in his assessment when he first saw Bellucci in 1987, telling her she was "not ready".<ref>{{cite news |last=Morvillo |first=Candida |date=23 October 2023 |title=Piero Piazzi: 'Da Carla Bruni a Naomi, sono stato il re delle top model. Ho preso a sberle gli stilisti' |trans-title=Piero Piazzi: 'From Carla Bruni to Naomi, I was the king of the top models. I slapped the stylists' |url=https://www.corriere.it/cronache/23_ottobre_23/piero-piazzi-intervista-44b75b2c-7107-11ee-9999-ffd40b56ff27.shtml |url-status=live |language=it |newspaper=[[Corriere della Sera]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240203142223/https://www.corriere.it/cronache/23_ottobre_23/piero-piazzi-intervista-44b75b2c-7107-11ee-9999-ffd40b56ff27.shtml |archive-date=3 February 2024 |access-date=3 February 2024}}</ref> Between 1988 and 1989, Elite signed Bellucci to a contract.<ref name="Hélie2018"/><ref name="VF2014-05-26"/> In 1988, she featured on the cover of {{lang|fr|[[Elle (magazine)|Elle]] France}}, photographed by [[Oliviero Toscani]],<ref>(22 February 1988). ''Elle'' (in French). No.&nbsp;2198:
* {{cite magazine |date=22 November 2013 |title=Les plus belles couvertures de Elle |trans-title=Elle's most beautiful covers |url=https://www.elle.fr/Mode/Dossiers-mode/Les-plus-belles-couvertures-de-ELLE/Couverture-ELLE-magazine-1988-avec-Monica-Bellucci |url-status=live |language=fr |magazine=Elle |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230217231952/https://www.elle.fr/Mode/Dossiers-mode/Les-plus-belles-couvertures-de-ELLE |archive-date=17 February 2023 |access-date=7 January 2024}}
* {{cite news |last=Le Scouarnec |first=Jean-Marc |date=7 October 2017 |title=Oliviero Toscani: 'Je suis de retour avec Benetton et on va s'amuser' |trans-title=Oliviero Toscani: 'I'm back with Benetton and we're going to have fun' |url=https://www.ladepeche.fr/article/2017/10/07/2660402-oliviero-toscani-suis-retour-benetton-va-amuser.html |url-status=live |language=fr |department=Interview |newspaper=[[La Dépêche du Midi]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231125155202/https://www.ladepeche.fr/article/2017/10/07/2660402-oliviero-toscani-suis-retour-benetton-va-amuser.html |archive-date=25 November 2023 |access-date=25 November 2023 |trans-quote=I discovered Monica in Milan.&nbsp;... I saw this very awake girl, with a tremendous allure. 'Elle' immediately fell for her.}}</ref> and ''[[Vogue (magazine)|Vogue]] Spain''.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=3 January 209 |title=Junio 1988 |trans-title=June 1988 |url=https://www.vogue.es/moda/news/articulos/junio-1988/3144 |url-status=live |language=es |magazine=[[Vogue (magazine)|Vogue]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516083958/https://www.vogue.es/moda/news/articulos/junio-1988/3144 |archive-date=16 May 2022 |access-date=18 February 2023}}</ref>

[[File:Monica Bellucci - March 1990.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|alt=A black=and=white fashion photograph of Bellucci at age 25|Bellucci at the {{lang|fr|[[Hôtel Raphael]]|italic=no}} in Paris, March 1990]]

Bellucci's work as a model for Elite required her to travel so she decided to leave university; she later said being a lawyer would not have suited her.<ref name="Salisbury2005"/> She appeared in numerous international advertising campaigns, and [[Dolce & Gabbana]] recruited her as their muse.<ref name="Hélie2018"/><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Yildiz |first=Alev |year=2015 |title=Le style de Monica Bellucci |trans-title=Monica Bellucci's style |url=https://www.marieclaire.fr/,monica-bellucci-style-look,783415.asp |url-status=live |language=fr |magazine=[[Marie Claire]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230219174701/https://www.marieclaire.fr/,monica-bellucci-style-look,783415.asp |archive-date=19 February 2023 |access-date=19 February 2023}}</ref> Bellucci's physical attributes aligned with the image the founders of Dolce & Gabbana wanted to portray.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=31 August 2013 |title=Reconversion de stars: des podiums au cinéma |trans-title=Retraining of stars: from runway podiums to cinema |url=https://www.elle.fr/Loisirs/Cinema/Dossiers/Reconversion-de-stars-des-podiums-au-cinema/Monica-Bellucci |url-status=live |language=fr |magazine=Elle |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231105172933/https://www.elle.fr/Loisirs/Cinema/Dossiers/Reconversion-de-stars-des-podiums-au-cinema |archive-date=5 November 2023 |access-date=5 November 2023}}</ref> In 1989, Bellucci lived in [[New York (state)|New York]] and was already a millionaire.<!-- General reference. --><ref>{{cite magazine |last=de Chirée |first=Sylvie |date=2015 |orig-date=First published 2 April 1990 |title=Ma première interview dans Elle: Monica Bellucci en 1989 |trans-title=My first interview in Elle: Monica Bellucci in 1989 |url=https://www.elle.fr/People/La-vie-des-people/News/Ma-premiere-interview-dans-ELLE-Monica-Bellucci-en-1989-3015945 |url-status=live |language=fr |magazine=Elle |issue=2308 |pages=148–153 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151206013753/https://www.elle.fr/People/La-vie-des-people/News/Ma-premiere-interview-dans-ELLE-Monica-Bellucci-en-1989-3015945 |archive-date=6 December 2015 |access-date=31 January 2024}}</ref> As a model, Bellucci was represented by Elite,<ref>{{cite news |date=22 July 2013 |title=Le fondateur de l'agence de mannequins Elite est mort |trans-title=The founder of Elite modelling agency dies |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/m-styles/article/2013/07/22/le-fondateur-de-l-agence-de-mannequins-elite-est-mort_3451106_4497319.html |url-status=live |language=fr |newspaper=Le Monde |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170101001008/https://www.lemonde.fr/m-styles/article/2013/07/22/le-fondateur-de-l-agence-de-mannequins-elite-est-mort_3451106_4497319.html |archive-date=1 January 2017 |access-date=5 November 2023 |trans-quote=His agency, created in 1972 in Paris, launched the careers of Cindy Crawford, Claudia Schiffer, Monica Bellucci, as well as Naomi Campbell, Gisele Bündchen and Heidi Klum.}}</ref> and she worked in Milan, Paris, and New York.<ref name="Williams2017"/>{{sfn|Moliterno|2020|p=62}}

In 1990, the French luxury house Dior used Bellucci's image and name for its {{lang|fr|Haute Couture}} line.<ref>{{cite news |date=13 Jun 2006 |title=A 'passion' for Dior |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SEwzAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA25 |url-status=live |newspaper=[[The Nation (Thailand)|The Nation]] |page=25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231022143318/https://books.google.com/books?id=SEwzAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA25 |archive-date=22 October 2023 |access-date=22 October 2023}}</ref> She was photographed by [[Richard Avedon]], and became the "protagonist" of Dolce & Gabbana's campaigns, "which elevated her to an icon of Mediterranean beauty".<ref name="VF2014-05-26"/> She also appeared in fashion parades for the luxury fashion house [[Fendi]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Luperini |first=Silvia |date=30 September 2022 |title=Buon compleanno Monica Bellucci. La star compie 58 anni (ma non si vede) |trans-title=Happy birthday Monica Bellucci. The star turns 58 (but you can't see it) |url=https://www.repubblica.it/moda-e-beauty/2022/09/30/news/compleanno_monica_bellucci_58_anni-365605723/ |url-status=live |language=it |newspaper=la Repubblica |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231126134237/https://www.repubblica.it/moda-e-beauty/2022/09/30/news/compleanno_monica_bellucci_58_anni-365605723/ |archive-date=26 November 2023 |access-date=26 November 2023}}</ref> In 1991, Bellucci was the brand ambassador for the cosmetics company [[L'Oréal]].<ref>{{cite news |date=n.d. |title=La belle Italienne Monica Bellucci était ambassadrice de L'Oréal en 1991 |trans-title=The beautiful Italian Monica Bellucci was an ambassador for L'Oréal in 1991 |url=https://www.purepeople.com/media/la-belle-italienne-monica-bellucci_m232572 |url-status=live |language=fr |work=Purepeople |publisher=[[Webedia]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230228172519/https://www.purepeople.com/media/la-belle-italienne-monica-bellucci_m232572 |archive-date=28 February 2023 |access-date=28 February 2023}}</ref> The same year, Bellucci appeared in the [[Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue|''Sports Illustrated'' Swimsuit Issue]], which featured photographs of her in the [[Caribbean]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Shore |first=Rebecca |date=5 December 2014 |title=The new Bond Girl was indeed an SI Swimsuit model, but it's not who you might think |url=https://swimsuit.si.com/swimnews/new-bond-girl-was-an-si-swimsuit-model-but-not-who-you-might-think |url-status=live |magazine=[[Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230306205330/https://swimsuit.si.com/swimnews/new-bond-girl-was-an-si-swimsuit-model-but-not-who-you-might-think%23gid=ci02594602d0122521&pid=monica-bellucci-1200_0jpg |archive-date=6 March 2023 |access-date=6 March 2023}}</ref> Bellucci also appeared in advertisements for [[Givenchy]], [[Nina Ricci (brand)|Nina Ricci]], [[Yves Saint Laurent (fashion house)|Yves Saint Laurent]], [[Versace]] and other luxury brands.<ref name="Bréhal1991">{{cite magazine |last=Bréhal |first=Nicolas |date=March 1991 |title=Cinéma − Monica Bellucci comédienne pour Dino Risi |trans-title=Cinema − Monica Bellucci actress for Dino Risi |department=Interview |magazine=[[L'Officiel|L'Officiel Paris]] |language=fr |issue=762, ''Haute Couture Special'', cover: M. Bellucci |pages=8, 198–207 |issn=0030-0403 |quote=Standfirst: ''Elle fait son entrée au cinéma dans le nouveau film de Dino Risi qui sort en mai: Vita coi figli.'' Efn: ''C'est arrivé d'une manière accidentelle. Je ne m'y attendais pas du tout. J'ai été remarquée par les producteurs du film comme mannequin. Ils sont tombés sur des photos de moi, parues dans une revue.''&nbsp;... ''De votre côté, vous n'aviez jamais rêvé d'être un jour comédienne? Non. Etre mannequin, travailler beaucoup, être demandée... me suffisaient. Enfant, je rêvais déjà de cela: poser pour des photos de mode.'' |trans-quote=Standfirst: She makes her cinema debut in Dino Risi's new film which is released in May: Vita coi figli.}}</ref> In 1992, Bellucci combined her work as a model with her acting debut.<ref>{{cite news |last=Blackman |first=Lori |date=3 January 2001 |title=Monica Bellucci |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2001/SHOWBIZ/Movies/01/03/sbtst.bellucci/ |url-status=live |work=[[CNN International]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231202170512/https://edition.cnn.com/2001/SHOWBIZ/Movies/01/03/sbtst.bellucci/ |archive-date=2 December 2023 |access-date=2 December 2023}}</ref> In 1993, she first met [[Giuseppe Tornatore]] when he directed her in a television advertisement for Dolce & Gabbana perfume.<ref name="Campion2003">{{cite news |last=Campion |first=Chris |date=18 January 2003 |title=Fantasy made flesh |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/3588732/Fantasy-made-flesh.html |url-status=live |language=en-GB |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/3588732/Fantasy-made-flesh.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |access-date=16 June 2023 |url-access=registration}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Bellucci opted to follow her passion for cinema, turned to acting and stopped modelling full-time,<ref name="Campion2003"/> although she remained active in the industry.<ref>{{cite news |date=7 January 2023 |title=La espectacular hija de Monica Bellucci y otras 'nepo babies' de poderosa genética |trans-title=Monica Bellucci's spectacular daughter and other 'nepo babies' with powerful genetics |url=https://www.elmundo.es/loc/celebrities/2023/01/07/63b6f11c21efa026208b45b0.html |url-status=live |language=es |newspaper=[[El Mundo (Spain)|El Mundo]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240127150245/https://www.elmundo.es/loc/celebrities/2023/01/07/63b6f11c21efa026208b45b0.html |archive-date=27 January 2024 |access-date=27 January 2024 |quote=... ''Bellucci sigue activa.'' |trans-quote=... Bellucci is still active.}}</ref> The Italian luxury company [[Breil (company)|Breil]] appointed Bellucci its brand ambassador and she starred in advertising campaigns.<!-- 1995 --><ref>{{cite news |last=De Vecchi |first=Paolo |date=11 June 2012 |title=Binda, lo spot d'autore sbarca in Rete |trans-title=Binda, the signature advert lands on the Internet |url=https://www.repubblica.it/economia/affari-e-finanza/2012/06/11/news/binda_lo_spot_dautore_sbarca_in_rete-36958060/ |url-status=live |language=it |newspaper=la Repubblica |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231124171008/https://www.repubblica.it/economia/affari-e-finanza/2012/06/11/news/binda_lo_spot_dautore_sbarca_in_rete-36958060/ |archive-date=24 November 2023 |access-date=24 November 2023}}</ref> In the 1990s, Bellucci regularly modelled for calendars, beginning in 1997 at the age of 33 when Avedon photographed her for the [[Pirelli Calendar]].<ref name="Digiuni2022">{{cite magazine |last=Digiuni |first=Valentina |date=9 August 2022 |title=I 10 più grandi sex symbol degli anni '90 − Donne |trans-title=The 10 greatest sex symbols of the 1990s − Women |url=https://www.rollingstone.it/cinema-tv/i-10-piu-grandi-sex-symbol-degli-anni-90-donne/649506/ |url-status=live |language=it |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230211190331/https://www.rollingstone.it/cinema-tv/i-10-piu-grandi-sex-symbol-degli-anni-90-donne/649506/ |archive-date=11 February 2023 |access-date=12 January 2023 |url-access=registration}}</ref> In 1997, Bellucci became the brand ambassador and muse of [[Cartier (jeweler)|Cartier]] jewellery.<ref name="Hald2007">{{cite news |last=Hald |first=Nina |date=29 April 2007 |title=Åh Monica, Monica, Monica... |trans-title=Oh Monica, Monica, Monica... |url=https://www.berlingske.dk/aok/aah-monica-monica-monica |url-status=live |language=da |newspaper=[[Berlingske]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230820145516/https://www.berlingske.dk/aok/aah-monica-monica-monica |archive-date=20 August 2023 |access-date=2 September 2023 |quote=''Overraskelsesmomentet var derfor stort, da Cartier i 1997 for første gang valgte at knytte en skuespillerinde tæt til huset.'' |trans-quote=The moment of surprise was therefore great when, in 1997, Cartier chose for the first time to associate an actress closely with the house.}}</ref><ref name="Mabrut2007">{{cite magazine |last=Mabrut |first=Claire |date=11 June 2007 |title=Monica Bellucci et Cartier: songe endiamanté |trans-title=Monica Bellucci and Cartier: a diamond dream |url=https://madame.lefigaro.fr/style/monica-bellucci-et-cartier-songe-endiamante-110607-5227 |url-status=live |language=fr |magazine=Madame Figaro |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613044523/https://madame.lefigaro.fr/style/monica-bellucci-et-cartier-songe-endiamante-110607-5227 |archive-date=13 June 2021 |access-date=12 February 2023 |quote=''La piquante Italienne est l'égérie de Cartier depuis tout juste dix ans.'' |trans-quote=The spicy Italian has been the muse of Cartier for just ten years.}}</ref> Nina Hald of the Danish newspaper ''[[Berlingske]]'' said: "Cartier chose for the first time to associate an actress closely with the house".<ref name="Hald2007"/> Cartier accompanied Bellucci throughout her acting career, notably on [[red carpet]]s, where she wore {{lang|fr|haute joaillerie}} (high jewellery) collections, and she worked as a model for opulent creations.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Reybaud |first=Fabienne |date=11 July 2020 |title=Monica Bellucci, star pour des joyaux éternels |trans-title=Monica Bellucci, star for eternal gems |url=https://www.parismatch.com/Vivre/Mode/Monica-Bellucci-star-pour-des-joyaux-eternels-1693576 |url-status=live |language=fr |magazine=[[Paris Match]] |issue=3714 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230113111054/https://www.parismatch.com/Vivre/Mode/Monica-Bellucci-star-pour-des-joyaux-eternels-1693576 |archive-date=13 January 2023 |access-date=7 May 2023}}</ref> Italian fashion photographer Fabrizio Ferri<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Vivarelli |first=Nick |date=21 May 2022 |title=Nexo Digital Sells 'Portait of The Queen' to U.S., European Territories (Exclusive) |url=https://variety.com/2022/film/news/nexo-digital-sells-portait-of-the-queen-to-u-s-1235274096/ |url-status=live |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231105182207/https://variety.com/2022/film/news/nexo-digital-sells-portait-of-the-queen-to-u-s-1235274096/ |archive-date=5 November 2023 |access-date=5 November 2023}}</ref> photographed Bellucci for the magazine ''[[Max (Italian magazine)|Max]]''{{'s}} calendar.<ref name="Digiuni2022"/>

===2000s===
Bellucci posed for the ''[[GQ]]'' calendar in 2000 and was photographed by [[Gian Paolo Barbieri]].<ref name="Digiuni2022"/> In 2004, while pregnant with her first child, Bellucci posed nude for the Italian cover of ''[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]'' in a protest against Italian laws that restricted access to [[in vitro fertilisation]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Owen |first=Richard |date=4 June 2005 |title=Actresses fight Pope over fertility |url=https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/europe-travel/italy/actresses-fight-pope-over-fertility-wm8778f8p52 |newspaper=[[The Times]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210711210227/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/actresses-fight-pope-over-fertility-wm8778f8p52 |archive-date=11 July 2021 |access-date=17 December 2023 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription}}</ref> That same year, Bellucci's status as the only actress who was contractually bound to Cartier was made public.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fiorilli |first1=Thierry |last2=Zintzen |first2=Pascale |last3=Willot |first3=Isabelle |last4=Van Roey |first4=Laurent |date=10 April 2004 |title='Liv Tyler est une star qui ne se la joue pas' 'En haute couture, ça marche au coup de coeur' Fashion and the City Sarah Jessica 'Lux' Parker Séguéla: 'L'idée doit être plus forte que la notoriété' 'Pour avoir le même fond que la star' |trans-title='Liv Tyler is a star who does not show off' 'In haute couture, it works on a crush' Fashion and the City Sarah Jessica 'Lux' Parker Séguéla: 'The idea must be stronger than notoriety' 'To have the same base as the star' |url=https://www.lesoir.be/art/d-20040410-W2G7L4 |url-status=live |language=fr |newspaper=[[Le Soir]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230407214350/https://www.lesoir.be/art/d-20040410-W2G7L4 |archive-date=7 April 2023 |access-date=8 April 2023 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> In 2006, she was named brand ambassador for Dior and the face of a range of products until 2010.<ref>Dior 2006–2010 campaigns:
* {{cite news |date=16 November 2006 |title=Mónica Bellucci tiñe de rojo la capital de España |trans-title=Monica Bellucci dyes the Spanish capital red |url=https://www.abc.es/estilo/gente/abci-monica-bellucci-tine-rojo-capital-espana-200611160300-1524281075042_noticia.html |url-status=live |language=es |newspaper=[[ABC (newspaper)|ABC]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231212181808/https://www.abc.es/estilo/gente/abci-monica-bellucci-tine-rojo-capital-espana-200611160300-1524281075042_noticia.html |archive-date=12 December 2023 |access-date=12 December 2023 |quote=... ''la nueva musa de Dior'' |trans-quote=... Dior's new muse}}
* {{cite news |date=8 June 2010 |title=Natalie Portman new face of Christian Dior |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/entertainment-others/natalie-portman-new-face-of-christian-dior/ |url-status=live |newspaper=[[The Indian Express]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231212184217/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/entertainment-others/natalie-portman-new-face-of-christian-dior/ |archive-date=12 December 2023 |access-date=12 December 2023 |quote=other celebrities endorsing the fashion house in advertisements include Sharon Stone, Charlize Theron, Monica Bellucci, Jude Law and Alain Delon}}
* {{cite magazine |last=Boquet-Vautor |first=Lorelei |date=6 May 2011 |title=Mélanie Laurent égérie pour Dior Parfums |trans-title=Mélanie Laurent muse for Dior Perfumes |url=https://www.vogue.fr/beaute/news-beaute/articles/mlanie-laurent-grie-pour-dior-parfums/19176 |url-status=live |language=fr |magazine=[[Vogue France]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231212185553/https://www.vogue.fr/beaute/news-beaute/articles/mlanie-laurent-grie-pour-dior-parfums/19176 |archive-date=12 December 2023 |access-date=12 December 2023 |quote=''Elle succédera à Monica Bellucci et Milla Jovovich'' |trans-quote=She will succeed Monica Bellucci and Milla Jovovich}}</ref> Cartier designed a collection of luxury diamond jewellery that was inspired by Bellucci and bore her name.<ref name="Hald2007"/><ref name="Mabrut2007"/> It was first presented at a Cartier event in [[Dubai]] in 2007.<ref name="Hald2007"/>

===2010s and 2020s===
Bellucci's appearances in television advertisements include Martini Gold, a collaboration between [[Martini (vermouth)|Martini]] and Dolce & Gabbana, in 2010.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Caprotti |first=Elisabetta |date=23 December 2020 |title=Martini, fashion e mixology. Storia di un aperitivo all'italiana |trans-title=Martini, fashion and mixology. History of an Italian aperitif |url=https://www.vogue.it/news/article/martini-storia-aperitivo-james-bond-george-clooney |url-status=live |language=it |magazine=[[Vogue Italia]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220524051231/https://www.vogue.it/news/article/martini-storia-aperitivo-james-bond-george-clooney |archive-date=24 May 2022 |access-date=1 March 2023}}</ref> She again posed semi-nude whilst pregnant for the cover of the April 2010 issue of ''Vanity Fair Italy''.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Guignon |first=Jordane |date=24 March 2010 |title=Monica Bellucci enceinte et presque nue pour 'Vanity Fair' |trans-title=Monica Bellucci pregnant and almost nude for 'Vanity Fair' |url=https://www.grazia.fr/people/monica-bellucci-enceinte-et-presque-nue-pour-vanity-fair-300775.html |url-status=live |language=fr |magazine=[[Grazia]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221007183620/https://www.grazia.fr/people/monica-bellucci-enceinte-et-presque-nue-pour-vanity-fair-300775.html |archive-date=7 October 2022 |access-date=27 May 2023}}</ref> [[Cashmere wool|Cashmere]] goods manufacturer {{lang|fr|[[Éric Bompard]]|italic=no}} appointed Bellucci as its brand ambassador for its winter 2011/2012 advertising campaign.<ref>{{cite news |date=20 June 2011 |title=La Maison Bompard s'associe au charme et à la féminité de Monica Bellucci |trans-title=Maison Bompard associates itself with the charm and femininity of Monica Bellucci |url=https://www.ladepeche.fr/article/2011/06/20/1111070-la-maison-bompard-s-associe-au-charme-et-a-la-feminite-de-monica-bellucci.html |url-status=live |language=fr |newspaper=La Dépêche du Midi |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230508154740/https://www.ladepeche.fr/article/2011/06/20/1111070-la-maison-bompard-s-associe-au-charme-et-a-la-feminite-de-monica-bellucci.html |archive-date=8 May 2023 |access-date=8 May 2023}}</ref> In 2012, Bellucci was the face of an eponymous range of Dolce & Gabbana lipstick.<ref name="Lawrenson">{{cite magazine |first=Amy |last=Lawrenson |url=http://www.elleuk.com/beauty/news/monica-bellucci-dolce-gabbana-s-new-face |title=Monica Bellucci Dolce & Gabbana's new face |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130122015059/http://www.elleuk.com/beauty/news/monica-bellucci-dolce-gabbana-s-new-face |archive-date=22 January 2013 |magazine=[[Elle (magazine)|Elle]] |date=17 February 2012}}</ref> She appeared in other seasonal fashion campaigns for Dolce & Gabbana.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Trochu |first=Eugénie |date=21 February 2013 |title=Behind the scenes on the Dolce & Gabbana Spring/Summer 2013 campaign |url=https://www.vogue.fr/fashion-videos/fashion-story/videos/dolce-gabbana-spring-summer-2013-campaign-sicily-behind-the-scenes-video/6842 |url-status=live |magazine=Vogue France |others=Translated by Eliza Chubb |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240202185007/https://www.vogue.fr/fashion-videos/fashion-story/videos/dolce-gabbana-spring-summer-2013-campaign-sicily-behind-the-scenes-video/6842 |archive-date=2 February 2024 |access-date=2 February 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |date=23 September 2015 |title=Fall/Winter 2015-2016 Campaigns |url=https://www.vogue.fr/fashion/fashion-inspiration/diaporama/fall-winter-2015-2016-campaigns/22696 |url-status=live |magazine=Vogue France |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240202185409/https://www.vogue.fr/fashion/fashion-inspiration/diaporama/fall-winter-2015-2016-campaigns/22696 |archive-date=2 February 2024 |access-date=2 February 2024}}</ref> She was signed to [[Storm Management]] in London and D'Management Group in Milan.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=17 January 2017 |title=Photos − Jenaye, la fille de Yannick Noah, en bikini sur Instagram |trans-title=Photos − Jenaye, Yannick Noah's daughter, in a bikini on Instagram |url=https://www.femmeactuelle.fr/actu/news-actu/photos-decouvrez-jenay-fille-yannick-noah-mannequin-2036784 |url-status=live |language=fr |magazine=[[Femme Actuelle]] |publisher=[[Vivendi|Prisma Press]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204181315/https://www.femmeactuelle.fr/actu/news-actu/photos-decouvrez-jenay-fille-yannick-noah-mannequin-2036784 |archive-date=4 February 2023 |access-date=26 February 2023}}</ref><ref name="Hodge2021">{{cite news |last=Hodge |first=Gavanndra |date=5 December 2021 |title=Monica Bellucci: 'Women are feeling free to get old in a different way' |url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/theatre-dance/article/monica-bellucci-women-are-feeling-free-to-get-old-in-a-different-way-rzsrwgd9r |url-status=live |language=en-GB |newspaper=[[The Sunday Times]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211205044141/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/monica-bellucci-women-are-feeling-free-to-get-old-in-a-different-way-rzsrwgd9r |archive-date=5 December 2021 |access-date=10 February 2024 |url-access=subscription}}</ref>

Bellucci was chosen as the face of German cosmetics manufacturer [[Nivea]] for its 2018 and 2019 campaigns.<ref>{{cite news |last=Richebois |first=Véronique |date=27 May 2018 |title=Monica Bellucci bouscule son image pour Nivéa |trans-title=Monica Bellucci shakes up her image for Nivea |url=https://www.lesechos.fr/tech-medias/medias/monica-bellucci-bouscule-son-image-pour-nivea-132883 |url-status=live |language=fr |newspaper=[[Les Echos (France)|Les Echos]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020124543/https://www.lesechos.fr/tech-medias/medias/monica-bellucci-bouscule-son-image-pour-nivea-132883 |archive-date=20 October 2020 |access-date=2 September 2023}}</ref> In June 2018, Bellucci appeared in a fashion parade for Dolce & Gabbana when she opened the second day of [[Milan Fashion Week]].<ref>{{cite news |date=16 June 2023 |title=Naomi Campbell et Monica Bellucci en mannequins stars de Dolce & Gabbana |trans-title=Naomi Campbell and Monica Bellucci as Dolce & Gabbana star models |url=https://www.lalibre.be/lifestyle/mode/2018/06/16/naomi-campbell-et-monica-bellucci-en-mannequins-stars-de-dolcegabbana-WOXVPPCXPZDJDHEJUGY6JTWJ7M/ |url-status=live |language=fr |newspaper=[[La Libre Belgique]] |agency=[[Agence France-Presse]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203160615/https://www.lalibre.be/lifestyle/mode/2018/06/16/naomi-campbell-et-monica-bellucci-en-mannequins-stars-de-dolcegabbana-WOXVPPCXPZDJDHEJUGY6JTWJ7M/ |archive-date=3 December 2023 |access-date=31 January 2024}}</ref> According to [[Stefano Gabbana]], Bellucci returned to the catwalk for the house for the first time since 1992.<ref>{{cite news |date=17 June 2018 |title=Monica Bellucci sfila per Dolce & Gabbana |trans-title=Monica Bellucci parades for Dolce & Gabbana |url=https://www.ansa.it/canale_lifestyle/notizie/moda/2018/06/16/monica-bellucci-sfila-per-dolce-gabbana_c0e14b7a-5198-4b88-b58a-74d273cf1b20.html |url-status=live |language=it |work=Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203160141/https://www.ansa.it/canale_lifestyle/notizie/moda/2018/06/16/monica-bellucci-sfila-per-dolce-gabbana_c0e14b7a-5198-4b88-b58a-74d273cf1b20.html |archive-date=3 December 2023 |access-date=31 January 2024}}</ref> She also appeared on the catwalk for Dolce & Gabbana at the early 2019 Milan fashion week, along with [[Helena Christensen]], {{lang|cs|[[Eva Herzigová]]|italic=no}}, and [[Isabella Rossellini]], who joined the influx of 1990s supermodels returning to the fashion spotlight.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Brookins |first=Laurie |date=24 September 2018 |title=Milan Fashion Week: Dolce & Gabbana's DNA Is in the Beauty of All Women |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/milan-fashion-week-dolce-gabbana-s-dna-is-beauty-all-women-1146480 |url-status=live |magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230225234418/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/style/milan-fashion-week-dolce-gabbana-s-dna-is-beauty-all-women-1146480/ |archive-date=25 February 2023 |access-date=5 March 2023}}</ref>

Bellucci remained the "muse" and ambassador of the Cartier brand in the 2020s.<ref name="Carrière2022">{{cite magazine |last=Carrière |first=Christophe |date=15 November 2022 |title=Monica Bellucci: 'La Callas que j'incarne est la femme fragile que peu de gens connaissaient' |trans-title=Monica Bellucci: 'The Callas I play is the fragile woman that few people knew' |url=https://www.parismatch.com/people/monica-bellucci-la-callas-que-jincarne-est-la-femme-fragile-que-peu-de-gens-connaissaient-218684 |url-status=live |language=fr |department=Interview |magazine=Paris Match |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230408144206/https://www.parismatch.com/people/monica-bellucci-la-callas-que-jincarne-est-la-femme-fragile-que-peu-de-gens-connaissaient-218684 |archive-date=8 April 2023 |access-date=2 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Urzino |first=Chiara |date=4 June 2023 |title=Il vestito lungo nero di Monica Bellucci è l'abito elegante per l'Estate 2023 |trans-title=Monica Bellucci's long black dress is the elegant dress for Summer 2023 |url=https://www.elle.com/it/moda/street-style/a44074988/moda-estate-2023-vestito-lungo-elegante-monica-bellucci/ |url-status=live |language=it |magazine=Elle |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240107190910/https://www.elle.com/it/moda/street-style/a44074988/moda-estate-2023-vestito-lungo-elegante-monica-bellucci/ |archive-date=7 January 2024 |access-date=7 January 2024}}</ref> Since 2000, Bellucci has appeared on national and international covers of {{lang|fr|Elle}}, ''GQ'',{{efn|In August 2015, Bellucci was featured on the cover of ''[[GQ]] Italy'' for the seventh time.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=24 July 2015 |title=Monica Bellucci en couverture de GQ Italie |trans-title=Monica Bellucci on the cover of GQ Italy |url=https://www.gqmagazine.fr/sexe/idole/articles/monica-bellucci-en-couverture-de-gq-italie/27105 |url-status=live |language=fr |magazine=[[GQ]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220816230427/https://www.gqmagazine.fr/sexe/idole/articles/monica-bellucci-en-couverture-de-gq-italie/27105 |archive-date=16 August 2022 |access-date=18 February 2023}}</ref>}} ''[[Harper's Bazaar]]'', ''[[Marie Claire]]'', ''[[Maxim (magazine)|Maxim]]'',<ref>{{Unbulleted list citebundle | Magazine covers1:
| For ''Elle'', see {{cite magazine |date=25 November 2005 |title=Sesenta años de complicidad con las lectoras |trans-title=Sixty years of complicity with readers |url=https://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2005/11/21/comunicacion/1132585366.html |url-status=live |language=es |newspaper=El Mundo |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231124181043/https://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2005/11/21/comunicacion/1132585366.html |archive-date=24 November 2023 |access-date=24 November 2023}}
| For ''GQ'', see {{cite magazine |date=24 July 2015 |title=Monica Belluci en une de GQ Italie |trans-title=Monica Belluci on the cover of GQ Italy |url=https://www.vanityfair.fr/actualites/articles/monica-belluci-en-une-de-gq-italie/27113 |url-status=live |language=fr |magazine=Vanity Fair |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240225123936/https://www.vanityfair.fr/actualites/articles/monica-belluci-en-une-de-gq-italie/27113 |archive-date=25 February 2024 |access-date=25 February 2024}}
| For ''[[Harper's Bazaar]]'', see {{cite magazine |last=Matsenko |first=Lisa |date=15 February 2022 |script-title=ru:Как всегда невероятна: Моника Беллуччи появилась на обложке Harper's Bazaar Russia |trans-title=As always incredible: Monica Bellucci appeared on the cover of Harper's Bazaar Russia |url=https://graziamagazine.ru/fashion/news/kak-vsegda-neveroyatna-monika-belluchchi-poyavilas-na-oblozhke-harpers-bazaar-russia/ |url-status=live |language=ru |magazine=Grazia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231209173336/https://graziamagazine.ru/fashion/news/kak-vsegda-neveroyatna-monika-belluchchi-poyavilas-na-oblozhke-harpers-bazaar-russia/ |archive-date=9 December 2023 |access-date=9 December 2023}}
| For ''[[Marie Claire]]'', see {{cite magazine |last=Wolff |first=Bérengère |year=2011 |title=Nouveau Marie Claire en kiosque |trans-title=New Marie Claire on newsstands |url=https://www.marieclaire.fr/,nouveau-marie-claire-en-kiosque-ce-mois-ci-1-magazine-3-couvertures,20123,384402.asp |url-status=live |language=fr |magazine=Marie Claire |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210316211521/https://www.marieclaire.fr/,nouveau-marie-claire-en-kiosque-ce-mois-ci-1-magazine-3-couvertures,20123,384402.asp |archive-date=16 March 2021 |access-date=19 February 2023}}
| For ''[[Maxim (magazine)|Maxim]]'', see {{cite magazine |last=Freeman |first=Thomas |date=30 September 2016 |title=Happy Birthday, Monica Bellucci |url=https://www.maxim.com/women/visual-history-monica-bellucci-2016-9/ |url-status=live |magazine=Maxim |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220810194442/https://www.maxim.com/women/visual-history-monica-bellucci-2016-9/ |archive-date=10 August 2022 |access-date=19 February 2023}}
}}</ref> ''[[Paris Match]]'',{{efn|Bellucci first appeared on the cover of ''[[Paris Match]]'' in June 2001. She made her eighth cover in December 2012.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=30 September 2014 |title=Monica Bellucci, bellissima pour Match |trans-title=Monica Bellucci, bellissima for Match |url=https://www.parismatch.com/People/Monica-Bellucci-bellissima-pour-Paris-Match-602110 |url-status=live |language=fr |magazine=Paris Match |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230218222631/https://www.parismatch.com/People/Monica-Bellucci-bellissima-pour-Paris-Match-602110%2329 |archive-date=18 February 2023 |access-date=19 February 2023}}</ref>}} ''[[Schön!]]'', ''[[The Sunday Times|The Sunday Times Style]]'', ''Vanity Fair'', and ''Vogue'', among others.<ref>{{Unbulleted list citebundle | Magazine covers2:
| For ''Paris Match'', see {{cite news |date=4 May 2017 |title=Monica Bellucci, c'è un uomo nella mia vita |trans-title=Monica Bellucci, there is a man in my life |url=https://www.ansa.it/canale_lifestyle/notizie/people/2017/05/04/monica-bellucci-ce-un-uomo-nella-mia-vita_2fc8e3ed-d4de-11e7-8470-00505695d1bc.html |url-status=live |language=it |work=Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231124182313/https://www.ansa.it/canale_lifestyle/notizie/people/2017/05/04/monica-bellucci-ce-un-uomo-nella-mia-vita_2fc8e3ed-d4de-11e7-8470-00505695d1bc.html |archive-date=24 November 2023 |access-date=24 November 2023}}
| For ''[[Schön!]]'', see {{cite magazine |last=Claudel |first=Marie |date=21 February 2022 |title=Monica Bellucci gorgeous |url=https://www.femmeactuelle.fr/mode/news-mode/monica-bellucci-affolante-veste-boutonnee-et-mini-jupe-qui-en-devoile-un-peu-trop-2129669 |url-status=live |language=fr |magazine=Femme Actuelle |publisher=[[Vivendi|Prisma Press]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230407213214/https://www.femmeactuelle.fr/mode/news-mode/monica-bellucci-affolante-veste-boutonnee-et-mini-jupe-qui-en-devoile-un-peu-trop-2129669 |archive-date=7 April 2023 |access-date=7 April 2023}}
| For ''[[The Sunday Times|The Sunday Times Style]]'', see {{cite magazine |last=Wlaszczuk |first=Julia |date=4 December 2021 |title=Monica Bellucci w obiektywie Soni Szóstak |trans-title=Monica Bellucci in the lens of Sonia Szóstak |url=https://www.vogue.pl/a/monica-bellucci-w-obiektywie-polskiej-fotografki-soni-szostak |url-status=live |language=pl |magazine=[[Vogue Poland]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231126140948/https://www.vogue.pl/a/monica-bellucci-w-obiektywie-polskiej-fotografki-soni-szostak |archive-date=26 November 2023 |access-date=26 November 2023}}
| For ''Vanity Fair'', see {{cite news |date=28 January 2013 |title=Monica Bellucci, seins nus en couverture de Vanity Fair |trans-title=Monica Bellucci, topless on the cover of Vanity Fair |url=https://www.rtl.be/art/people/potins/monica-bellucci-seins-nus-en-couverture-de-vanity-fair-627712.aspx |url-status=live |language=fr |work=[[RTL Group|RTL Belgium]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231124184413/https://www.rtl.be/art/people/potins/monica-bellucci-seins-nus-en-couverture-de-vanity-fair-627712.aspx |archive-date=24 November 2023 |access-date=24 November 2023}}
| For ''Vogue'', see {{cite news |date=20 February 2023 |script-title=el:Εκτάκτως το Σάββατο 25/2: Η Vogue Greece Μαρτίου συναντά την απόλυτη-ντίβα Monica Bellucci |trans-title=Extraordinary on Saturday 25/2: Vogue Greece March meets the absolute diva Monica Bellucci |url=https://www.kathimerini.gr/k/sunday-edition/562287469/ektaktos-to-savvato-25-2-i-vogue-greece-martioy-synanta-tin-apolyti-ntiva-monica-bellucci/ |url-status=live |language=el |newspaper=[[Kathimerini]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230820122941/https://www.kathimerini.gr/k/sunday-edition/562287469/ektaktos-to-savvato-25-2-i-vogue-greece-martioy-synanta-tin-apolyti-ntiva-monica-bellucci/ |archive-date=20 August 2023 |access-date=20 August 2023}}}}</ref>

==Acting career==
{{main|List of Monica Bellucci performances}}

===1990–1999: Early roles and breakthrough===
In 1990, Italian director [[Carlo Vanzina]] noticed a photo of Monica Bellucci in a magazine and recommended her to [[Dino Risi]], who was looking for a "new face" for his [[television miniseries]] {{lang|it|[[Vita coi figli]]}}.<ref>{{cite news |last=Fumarola |first=Silvia |date=24 October 2019 |title=Festa di Roma, Carlo Vanzina nei ricordi degli amici. La figlia Assia: 'C'eravamo noi e il cinema' |trans-title=Rome Festival, Carlo Vanzina in the memories of friends. Daughter Assia: 'There was us and the cinema' |url=https://www.repubblica.it/dossier/spettacoli/festa-del-cinema-di-roma-2019/2019/10/24/news/festa_di_roma_doc_carlo_vanzina-239394862/ |url-status=live |language=it |newspaper=la Repubblica |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230909133711/https://www.repubblica.it/dossier/spettacoli/festa-del-cinema-di-roma-2019/2019/10/24/news/festa_di_roma_doc_carlo_vanzina-239394862/ |archive-date=9 September 2023 |access-date=17 December 2023}}</ref> Bellucci had never thought of becoming an actress and was surprised to be chosen for a role.{{efn|In a March 1991 interview for {{lang|fr|[[L'Officiel]] Paris}}, she stated: "It happened in an accidental way. I was not expecting that at all. I was noticed by the producers of the film as a model. They came across photos of me that appeared in a magazine." To the question of whether she "never dreamed of one day being an actress?", she responded: "No. Being a model, working a lot, being in demand... were enough for me. As a child, I already dreamed of this: posing for fashion photos."<ref name="Bréhal1991"/>}}<ref name="Bréhal1991"/> Bellucci made her acting debut in ''Vita coi figli'',{{sfn|Moliterno|2020|p=62}} a two-part television film that was broadcast in Italy in May 1991, in which she played Elda.<ref>{{cite book |last=Caprara |first=Valerio |translator-last1=Bovard |translator-first1=C. |translator-last2=Piauton |translator-first2=M. |year=1993 |title=Dino Risi: maître de la comédie Italienne |trans-title=Dino Risi: master of Italian comedy |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=y2yNUWFoLuYC&pg=PA78 |url-status=live |language=fr |location=Rome |publisher=Gremese |pages=78–79 |isbn=978-8-8730-1020-3 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230415194105/https://books.google.com/books?id=y2yNUWFoLuYC&pg=PA78 |archive-date=15 April 2023 |access-date=15 December 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://collections-search.bfi.org.uk/web/Details/ChoiceFilmWorks/150376412 |title=Vita coi figli |date=n.d. |website=[[British Film Institute]] |access-date=17 December 2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231215211914/https://collections-search.bfi.org.uk/web/Details/ChoiceFilmWorks/150376412 |archive-date=15 December 2023 |quote=Date: 1991-05-28 (Television)}}</ref> The same year, Bellucci made her film debut in {{lang|it|[[The Raffle|La Riffa]]}}, which [[Francesco Laudadio]] directed.<ref>{{cite news |date=6 April 2005 |title=Morto il regista Francesco Laudadio |trans-title=Director Francesco Laudadio has died |url=https://www.corriere.it/Primo_Piano/Spettacoli/2005/04_Aprile/06/laudadio.shtml |url-status=live |language=it |newspaper=[[Corriere della Sera]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050407212708/https://www.corriere.it/Primo_Piano/Spettacoli/2005/04_Aprile/06/laudadio.shtml |archive-date=7 April 2005 |access-date=20 October 2023}}</ref>

In 1992, Bellucci played one of the three brides of Dracula in the horror film ''[[Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992 film)|Bram Stoker's Dracula]]''.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bradshaw |first=Peter |author-link=Peter Bradshaw |date=5 October 2022 |title=Bram Stoker's Dracula review − Gary Oldman is Pierrot from hell in blood-red 90s take |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/oct/05/bram-stokers-dracula-review-gary-oldman-is-pierrot-from-hell-in-blood-red-90s-take |url-status=live |language=en-GB |newspaper=The Guardian |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018095442/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/oct/05/bram-stokers-dracula-review-gary-oldman-is-pierrot-from-hell-in-blood-red-90s-take |archive-date=18 October 2023 |access-date=20 October 2023}}</ref> [[Roman Coppola]] saw a photograph of Bellucci in the Italian magazine ''Zoom'' and implored<!-- "beseeched his father" as per the source --> his father [[Francis Ford Coppola|Francis Ford]] to offer her a film role.<ref name="Campion2003"/> Coppola arranged a meeting with Bellucci in [[Los Angeles]] while she was in New York for a photography session. After talking with Coppola, Bellucci realised she would embark on an acting career.<ref name="Narbonne2017">{{cite magazine |last=Narbonne |first=Christophe |date=12 July 2017 |title=Monica Bellucci commente sa filmographie |trans-title=Monica Bellucci comments on her filmography |url=https://www.premiere.fr/Cinema/Monica-Bellucci-commente-sa-filmographie |url-status=live |language=fr |department=Interview |magazine=[[Première (magazine)|Première]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209061045/https://www.premiere.fr/Cinema/Monica-Bellucci-commente-sa-filmographie |archive-date=9 December 2022 |access-date=14 January 2024}}</ref> At Coppola's request, Bellucci stayed in Los Angeles during filming; she was apprehensive about the city and believed her English needed improvement. She decided her next acting work would be in Italy.<ref name="Salisbury2005"/> Bellucci's role as a "sensual vampire" was her international film debut.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://fresques.ina.fr/europe-des-cultures-en/fiche-media/Europe00297/monica-bellucci.html |title=Monica Bellucci |last=Garson |first=Charlotte |author-link=Cahiers du Cinéma |date=24 June 2001 |website=Europe of Cultures |others=[[France 2]]: ''[[Journal de 20 heures|8 p.m. Newscast]]'' presented by [[Béatrice Schönberg]] (transcriptions) |publisher=[[Institut national de l'audiovisuel|National Audiovisual Institute]] |language=en |access-date=29 December 2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230518143727/https://fresques.ina.fr/europe-des-cultures-en/fiche-media/Europe00297/monica-bellucci.html |archive-date=18 May 2023}}</ref>

Following her minor role in ''Bram Stoker's Dracula'', Bellucci returned to Italy and enrolled in acting classes.<ref name="Salisbury2005"/> According to Bellucci: "I craved it&nbsp;... I needed to act".<ref name="Gaynor2009"/> Bellucci said a time when all of her friends were leaving the faculty was a challenging time.<ref name="Express2013-04-11"/> Bellucci had difficulty overcoming the prejudices related to her modelling and her physical appearance, and had to work to establish her credibility.<ref name="Salisbury2005"/> For the next four years, Bellucci starred in Italian films but was ultimately dissatisfied due to the lack of opportunities, and she aspired to an international acting career.<ref name="Campion2003"/> Bellucci appeared in the [[Primetime Emmy Awards|Emmy]]-winning biblical television miniseries ''[[Joseph (1995 film)|Joseph]]'' (1995).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/joseph/cast/2000062907/ |title=Joseph − Full Cast & Crew |date=n.d. |website=[[TV Guide]] |access-date=19 November 2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231118211010/https://www.tvguide.com/movies/joseph/cast/2000062907/ |archive-date=18 November 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=12 September 1995 |title=1995 Emmy Award Winners |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/09/12/arts/1995-emmy-award-winners.html |url-status=live |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |page=18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230523084531/https://www.nytimes.com/1995/09/12/arts/1995-emmy-award-winners.html |archive-date=23 May 2023 |access-date=18 November 2023 |url-access=limited}}</ref> In her view, the Italian film industry needed to invest more money to promote films internationally.<ref name="Winters2000">{{cite news |last=Winters |first=Laura |date=17 December 2000 |title=Film; Beauty, Her Moreau Eyes Say, Isn't Everything |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/12/17/movies/film-beauty-her-moreau-eyes-say-isn-t-everything.html |url-status=live |newspaper=The New York Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170907161645/https://www.nytimes.com/2000/12/17/movies/film-beauty-her-moreau-eyes-say-isn-t-everything.html |archive-date=7 September 2017 |access-date=12 November 2023 |url-access=limited}}</ref> Bellucci moved to France to improve her career prospects,<ref name="Campion2003"/> and settled in Paris in 1995.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Cohn-Bendit |first1=Daniel |author-link=Daniel Cohn-Bendit |last2=Lemoine |first2=Patrick |year=2023 |title=Français mais pas Gaulois − Des étrangers qui ont fait la France |trans-title=French but not Gauls − Foreigners who made France |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vS-fEAAAQBAJ&pg=PT67 |language=fr |location=Paris |publisher=[[Éditions Robert Laffont|Robert Laffont]] |page=67 |isbn=978-2-2212-6095-1}}</ref>

Bellucci's portrayal of Lisa in ''[[The Apartment (1996 film)|The Apartment]]'' (1996),<ref>{{cite magazine |last=O'Shea |first=Stephen |date=7 October 1996 |title=The Apartment |url=https://variety.com/1996/film/reviews/the-apartment-2-1200447418/ |url-status=live |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230412165609/https://variety.com/1996/film/reviews/the-apartment-2-1200447418/ |archive-date=12 April 2023|access-date=7 October 2023}}</ref> a "moody" French [[film noir]], earned her a [[César Award]] nomination for [[César Award for Most Promising Actress|Most Promising Actress]].<ref name="Williams2017"/> This launched her career in France and strengthened her position as an actress.<ref name="Campion2003"/> It was her first French-language film.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bradfer |first=Fabienne |date=9 July 2003 |title=Fantasme sur voix avec Monica Bellucci. La belle Italienne double en français Marina, l'héroïne moderne de 'Sinbad', de DreamWorks |trans-title=Vocal fantasy with Monica Bellucci. The beautiful Italian is dubbing in French Marina, the modern heroine of 'Sinbad', by DreamWorks |url=https://www.lesoir.be/art/fantasme-sur-voix-avec-monica-bellucci-la-belle-italien_t-20030709-Z0NALV.html |url-status=live |language=fr |department=Interview |newspaper=Le Soir |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230416173848/https://www.lesoir.be/art/fantasme-sur-voix-avec-monica-bellucci-la-belle-italien_t-20030709-Z0NALV.html |archive-date=16 April 2023 |access-date=31 January 2024 |url-access=subscription |quote=''Vita coi fligi, votre premier film''&nbsp;... ''votre premier film français, L'appartement'' |trans-quote=Vita coi fligi, your first film&nbsp;... your first French film, The Apartment}}</ref> Gavanndra Hodge of ''The Sunday Times'' stated that her "break-out role" was in the European [[Art film|arthouse]] film ''The Apartment''.<ref name="Hodge2021"/> The [[BBC]]'s Almar Haflidason described the film as "seductive" and "startling", giving it a rating of five stars.<ref>{{cite news |last=Haflidason |first=Almar |date=5 December 2000 |title=Movies − L'Appartement |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2000/12/05/lappartement_1997_review.shtml |url-status=live |language=en-GB |work=[[BBC Online]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203114849/https://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2000/12/05/lappartement_1997_review.shtml |archive-date=3 February 2022 |access-date=22 February 2024}}</ref> Bellucci's second French film was [[Jan Kounen]]'s ''[[Dobermann (film)|Dobermann]]'' (1997), in which she portrayed a mute [[Romani people|Romani]] woman and had to learn [[sign language]] beforehand to embody her character. Recalling the filming process, she expressed an inclination for {{lang|fr|[[mise-en-scène]]s}}<!-- "mise-en-scènes" according to Bellucci--> (stage settings) "that pass more through bodies than through words".<ref name="Narbonne2017"/> At this point in her career, Bellucci made a significant impact on European audiences.<ref name="Winters2000"/> [[Pierce Brosnan]] performed a screen test with Bellucci for the James Bond film ''[[Tomorrow Never Dies]]'' (1997) then requested she be given the role of Paris Carver but the studio stated only an American actress could be cast in the role.<ref>{{cite news |last=Larman |first=Alexander |author-link=Alexander Larman |date=15 July 2017 |title=James Bond's China conflict: is Tomorrow Never Dies the most chaotic, prophetic 007 film so far? |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/why-tomorrow-never-dies-chaotic-prophetic-bond-film-ever-made/ |url-status=live |language=en-GB |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |archive-url=https://archive.today/20221209193817/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/why-tomorrow-never-dies-chaotic-prophetic-bond-film-ever-made/ |archive-date=9 December 2022 |access-date=5 November 2023 |url-access=registration}}</ref> For her leading role as Giulia Giovannini in the Italian [[Comedy drama|comedy-drama]] {{lang|it|[[Kaputt Mundi|L'ultimo capodanno]]}} (1998),<ref>{{cite web |url=https://collections-search.bfi.org.uk/web/Details/ChoiceFilmWorks/150484479 |title=L'ultimo capodanno (1998) |date=n.d. |website=British Film Institute |access-date=1 October 2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231001125115/https://collections-search.bfi.org.uk/web/Details/ChoiceFilmWorks/150484479 |archive-date=1 October 2023}}</ref> Bellucci received a [[Globo d'oro|Globo d'oro Award]]{{efn|The [[Globo d'oro|Globo d'oro Awards]] are the Italian equivalent of the American [[Golden Globe Awards|Golden Globe]]. The Globo d'oro, the [[David di Donatello]] and the [[Nastro d'Argento]] are Italy's three most prestigious film awards.<ref>{{cite news |date=4 August 2022 |title=Il Globo d'oro della Stampa estera alla Cineteca di Bologna |trans-title=The Golden Globe of the Foreign Press at the Cineteca di Bologna |url=https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/cultura/cinema/2022/08/04/il-globo-doro-della-stampa-estera-alla-cineteca-di-bologna_53d98e79-2757-48be-90e0-fbe68819cc5d.html |url-status=live |language=it |work=[[Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230910143225/https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/cultura/cinema/2022/08/04/il-globo-doro-della-stampa-estera-alla-cineteca-di-bologna_53d98e79-2757-48be-90e0-fbe68819cc5d.html |archive-date=10 September 2023 |access-date=10 September 2023}}</ref>}} for Best Actress.<ref>{{cite news |date=9 May 2021 |title=Arriva il David speciale per Monica Bellucci 'Un'icona di bellezza' |trans-title=Here comes the David Special for Monica Bellucci, 'An icon of beauty' |url=https://www.larena.it/argomenti/spettacoli/arriva-il-david-speciale-per-monica-bellucci-un-icona-di-bellezza-1.8656223 |url-status=live |language=it |newspaper=[[L'Arena]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509112024/https://www.larena.it/argomenti/spettacoli/arriva-il-david-speciale-per-monica-bellucci-un-icona-di-bellezza-1.8656223 |archive-date=9 May 2021 |access-date=5 February 2023}}</ref> ''The Apartment'' later won a [[British Academy Film Award]] (BAFTA) for [[BAFTA Award for Best Film Not in the English Language|Best Film not in the English language]],<ref>{{cite news |date=19 April 1998 |title=Winners of the 1998 Bafta film awards |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/80541.stm |url-status=live |language=en-GB |work=BBC Online |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311183654/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/80541.stm |archive-date=11 March 2023 |access-date=11 March 2023}}</ref> prompting film director [[Stephen Hopkins (director)|Stephen Hopkins]] to take a close interest in Bellucci.<ref name="Narbonne2017"/>

===2000–2003: American films, ''Malèna'', and ''Irréversible''===
[[File:Alain Chabat Monica Bellucci Césars.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.75|alt=Bellucci in a light blue dress and black hair standing next to Alain Chabat in a black suit|Bellucci and film director [[Alain Chabat]] at the [[26th César Awards|2001 César Awards]]]]

In 2000, Bellucci caught the attention of American audiences with her first English-language lead role in Hopkins' ''[[Under Suspicion (2000 film)|Under Suspicion]]'', in which she starred opposite [[Morgan Freeman]] and [[Gene Hackman]].<ref name="Winters2000"/> Hopkins cast Bellucci after watching her performance in ''The Apartment'' and retained her ideas to create the character Chantal Hearst.<ref name="Winters2000"/> Garth Pearce, writing in ''[[The Times]]'', noted her improved spoken English.<ref name="Times2005-10-30">{{cite news |last=Pearce |first=Garth |date=30 October 2005 |title=Monica Bellucci |url=https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/north-america-travel/us-travel/california/monica-bellucci-skqmw8q6rh7 |url-status=live |language=en-GB |newspaper=[[The Times]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211126060719/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/monica-bellucci-skqmw8q6rh7 |archive-date=26 November 2021 |access-date=16 February 2024 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> ''Under Suspicion'' was selected as one of the [[2000 Cannes Film Festival]]'s closing films,<ref>{{cite news |date=18 April 2000 |title=Tous les films en sélection officielle au Festival de Cannes 2000 |trans-title=All films in official selection at the 2000 Cannes Film Festival |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/archives/article/2000/04/18/tous-les-films-en-selection-officielle-au-festival-de-cannes-2000_51250_1819218.html |url-status=live |language=fr |newspaper=[[Le Monde]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230312141216/https://www.lemonde.fr/archives/article/2000/04/18/tous-les-films-en-selection-officielle-au-festival-de-cannes-2000_51250_1819218.html |archive-date=12 March 2023 |access-date=12 March 2023 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> marking her red-carpet debut at the annual event.<ref name="VanEgmond2017">{{cite news |last=Van Egmond |first=Nedjma |date=12 May 2017 |title=Festival de Cannes: Monica Bellucci, reine du bal |trans-title=Cannes Film Festival: Monica Bellucci, prom queen |url=https://www.leparisien.fr/week-end/festival-de-cannes-monica-bellucci-reine-du-bal-12-05-2017-6936795.php |url-status=live |language=fr |department=Interview |newspaper=[[Le Parisien]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120021327/https://www.leparisien.fr/week-end/festival-de-cannes-monica-bellucci-reine-du-bal-12-05-2017-6936795.php |archive-date=20 January 2021 |access-date=12 March 2023}}</ref> After the film's release, Freeman said: "It's all there in her eyes. She has this quality that reminds me of Jeanne Moreau. There is a sense of having been there, that she's had a life."<ref name="Winters2000"/> ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' listed Bellucci among "the ten young actresses to keep an eye on".<ref>{{cite book |last=Frini |first=Roberto |year=2006 |title=Monica Bellucci |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4ji3VwFGTQgC&pg=PA54 |url-status=live |language=it |location=Rome |publisher=Gremese |page=54 |isbn=978-8-8844-0441-1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240207204524/https://books.google.com/books?id=4ji3VwFGTQgC&pg=PA54 |archive-date=7 February 2024 |quote=...&nbsp;''prestigiosa rivista americana 'Variety', che la colloca tra le dieci giovani attrici da tenere d'occhio.''}}</ref>

Bellucci returned to Italian cinema, portraying Malèna Scordia, an enigmatic, envied and coveted [[World War II]] widow whose life unfolds before a 13-year-old boy in the Tornatore-directed film ''[[Malèna (film)|Malèna]]'' (2000), which is set in [[Sicily]].<ref name="Winters2000"/> ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' film critic [[Kevin Thomas (film critic)|Kevin Thomas]] said the film emphasises the seductive appeal of the film's protagonist Scordia, to whom Bellucci gave an "heroic" portrayal that was delivered with a few lines of dialogue.<ref name="Thomas2000">{{cite news |last=Thomas |first=Kevin |author-link=Kevin Thomas (film critic) |date=25 December 2000 |title='Malena' Emerges as an Evocative Beauty |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-dec-25-ca-4465-story.html |url-status=live |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240101124326/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-dec-25-ca-4465-story.html |archive-date=1 January 2024 |access-date=6 January 2024}}</ref> Writing for ''[[The Guardian]]'', Mark Salisbury considered Bellucci's portrayal in the [[Academy Awards|Oscar]]-nominated film her "breakout performance".<ref name="Salisbury2005"/> Malèna brought Bellucci worldwide attention;<ref name="Times2005-10-30"/><ref name="SCMP2016">{{cite news |last=James Havis |first=Richard |date=1 November 2007 |title=Continental drift |url=https://www.scmp.com/article/613846/continental-drift |url-status=live |newspaper=[[South China Morning Post]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231111141355/https://www.scmp.com/article/613846/continental-drift |archive-date=11 November 2023 |access-date=6 January 2024 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> it was her first international success and caused her to be "besieged by offers" from [[Cinema of the United States|Hollywood]] when [[Miramax]] secured the film for US distribution.<ref name="Campion2003"/> For the US release, ten minutes of explicit, erotic scenes from the film were [[Film censorship|censored]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Rooney |first=David |date=29 October 2000 |title=Malèna |url=https://variety.com/2000/film/reviews/malena-1200464522/ |url-status=live |magazine=Variety |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180510215548/http://variety.com/2000/film/reviews/malena-1200464522/ |archive-date=10 May 2018 |access-date=18 March 2023}}</ref>

Bellucci starred with [[Samuel Le Bihan]] and [[Vincent Cassel]] in [[Christophe Gans]]' ''[[Brotherhood of the Wolf]]'', a 2001 French [[Historical drama|period drama]] film that is based on historical events involving the [[beast of Gévaudan]] that decimated the population of {{lang|fr|[[Lozère]]|italic=no}} in 18th-century France.<ref name="Winters2000"/><ref name="Hunter2002">{{cite news |last=Hunter |first=Stephen |author-link=Stephen Hunter |date=11 January 2002 |title=How Do You Say Dog in French? 'Wolf' |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/2002/01/11/how-do-you-say-dog-in-french-wolf/515e9421-1f16-42d1-b99e-56712bfe6cd8/ |url-status=live |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311155214/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/2002/01/11/how-do-you-say-dog-in-french-wolf/515e9421-1f16-42d1-b99e-56712bfe6cd8/ |archive-date=11 March 2023 |access-date=20 October 2023}}</ref> ''[[The Washington Post]]'' film critic [[Stephen Hunter]] found the film's stylistic approach too dense, obscuring Bellucci's "fabulous natural asset"; she played an "underused" role as a courtesan–[[Popery|papist]] spy.<ref name="Hunter2002"/> The film received positive responses from other critics.<ref>Critical response to ''Brotherhood of the Wolf'':
* {{cite news |last=Bradshaw |first=Peter |author-link=Peter Bradshaw |date=19 October 2001 |title=Brotherhood of the Wolf |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2001/oct/19/1 |url-status=live |language=en-GB |newspaper=The Guardian |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407202525/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2001/oct/19/1 |archive-date=7 April 2023 |access-date=12 December 2023}}
* {{cite news |last=Maher |first=Kevin |author-link=Kevin Maher (writer) |date=12 May 2023 |title=Brotherhood of the Wolf (2001) review – a nutty Gallic mash-up |url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/film/article/brotherhood-of-the-wolf-2001-review-a-nutty-gallic-mash-up-ktpczkhzh |url-status=live |language=en-GB |newspaper=[[The Times]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230512073302/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/brotherhood-of-the-wolf-2001-review-a-nutty-gallic-mash-up-ktpczkhzh |archive-date=12 May 2023 |access-date=12 December 2023 |url-access=subscription}}
* {{cite news |last=Sarris |first=Andrew |author-link=Andrew Sarris |date=28 January 2002 |title=The Real World? Solondz at School |url=https://observer.com/2002/01/the-real-world-solondz-at-school/ |url-status=live |newspaper=[[The New York Observer]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240216151106/https://observer.com/2002/01/the-real-world-solondz-at-school/ |archive-date=16 February 2024 |access-date=16 February 2024}}</ref> ''Brotherhood of the Wolf'' was a [[List of 2001 box office number-one films in France|box-office success]] in France, where it attracted five million viewers and grossed {{US$|70|link=yes}}&nbsp;million worldwide, including $11&nbsp;million in the US, against a budget of about {{€|32|link=yes}}&nbsp;million.{{efn|The average exchange rate of the [[United States dollar|US dollar]] to the [[euro]] was 0.99 in late January 2000 (US$0.99 bought €1).<ref>{{cite news |date=27 January 2000 |title=Euro slides to record low |url=https://money.cnn.com/2000/01/27/markets/euro/ |url-status=live |work=[[CNN Business]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230709133651/https://money.cnn.com/2000/01/27/markets/euro/ |archive-date=9 July 2023 |access-date=9 July 2023}}</ref>}}<ref>Box office performance of ''Brotherhood of the Wolf'':
* {{cite magazine |last=Caravani |first=Marc |date=6 August 2021 |title=Aussi fou que cela puisse paraître, Le Pacte des Loups est un film culte aux Etats-Unis |trans-title=As crazy as it sounds, Brotherhood of the Wolf is a cult film in the United States |url=https://www.gqmagazine.fr/pop-culture/article/aussi-fou-que-cela-puisse-paraitre-le-pacte-des-loups-est-un-film-culte-aux-etats-unis |url-status=live |language=fr |magazine=[[GQ]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230311155924/https://www.gqmagazine.fr/pop-culture/article/aussi-fou-que-cela-puisse-paraitre-le-pacte-des-loups-est-un-film-culte-aux-etats-unis |archive-date=11 March 2023 |access-date=9 July 2023}}
* {{cite news |last=Major |first=Tim |year=2001 |title=Cumbria films − Brotherhood of the Wolf |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/cumbria/films/reviews/a_f/brotherhood_wolf.shtml |url-status=live |language=en-GB |work=BBC Online |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110816054509/https://www.bbc.co.uk/cumbria/films/reviews/a_f/brotherhood_wolf.shtml |archive-date=16 August 2011 |access-date=9 July 2023 |quote=5 million admissions in France}}</ref> The film earned Bellucci a [[Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Supporting Actress]] nomination at the 2002 [[Saturn Awards]].<ref>{{cite news |date=14 March 2002 |title=Nominees for 28th Annual Saturn Awards |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/2002/03/14/Nominees-for-28th-Annual-Saturn-Awards/9401016082000/ph |url-status=live |work=[[United Press International]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230324212450/https://www.upi.com/Archives/2002/03/14/Nominees-for-28th-Annual-Saturn-Awards/9401016082000/ph |archive-date=24 March 2023 |access-date=24 March 2023}}</ref> The filming of ''[[Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra]]'' (2002), in which Bellucci starred with [[Jamel Debbouze]], which, with its light-hearted, comic atmosphere, was one of Bellucci's favourite cinematographic experiences.<ref>{{cite news |last=Aurélien |first=David |date=24 November 2022 |title=Monica Bellucci se souvient du tournage d'Astérix: 'une de mes plus belles expériences de cinéma' |trans-title=Monica Bellucci remembers filming Asterix: 'one of my best cinema experiences' |url=https://www.rtbf.be/article/monica-bellucci-se-souvient-du-tournage-dasterix-une-de-mes-plus-belles-experiences-de-cinema-11110929 |url-status=live |language=fr |department=Interview |work=[[RTBF]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230404173109/https://www.rtbf.be/article/monica-bellucci-se-souvient-du-tournage-dasterix-une-de-mes-plus-belles-experiences-de-cinema-11110929 |archive-date=4 April 2023 |access-date=4 April 2023}}</ref> She portrayed the "prickly" [[Cleopatra]], the queen of [[Ancient Egypt]], in the comedy film, which was directed by [[Alain Chabat]].<ref name="Reynaud2022">{{cite magazine |last=Reynaud |first=Floriane |date=12 August 2022 |title=5 actress who played Cleopatra |url=https://www.vogue.fr/fashion-culture/article/actress-who-played-cleopatra |url-status=live |language=en |magazine=Vogue France |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230404174838/https://www.vogue.fr/fashion-culture/article/actress-who-played-cleopatra |archive-date=4 April 2023 |access-date=4 April 2023}}</ref> ''The Guardian'' film critic [[Peter Bradshaw]] wrote Bellucci was "certainly talented enough&nbsp;... to merit getting the role of Cleopatra in some serious treatment", but before then, she had to perform in a "funny mainstream commercial" French production.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bradshaw |first=Peter |date=18 October 2002 |title=Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2002/oct/18/artsfeatures4 |url-status=live |language=en-GB |newspaper=The Guardian |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220709114848/https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2002/oct/18/artsfeatures4 |archive-date=9 July 2022 |access-date=4 April 2023}}</ref> The film was a success, selling 14&nbsp;million tickets in France at the time of its release and grossing more than $128&nbsp;million worldwide.<ref name="Reynaud2022"/><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Roxborough |first=Scott |date=3 March 2021 |title=Netflix Orders Animated 'Asterix & Obelix' Series |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/netflix-animation-series-asterix-obelix-4142604/ |url-status=live |magazine=The Hollywood Reporter |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516100110/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/netflix-animation-series-asterix-obelix-4142604/ |archive-date=16 May 2022 |access-date=4 April 2023}}</ref>

[[File:Monica Bellucci (cannesPhotoCall)-.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|alt=Bellucci in a white dress, posing for photographers|Bellucci at the [[2002 Cannes Film Festival]] for the promotion of {{lang|fr|[[Irréversible]]}}]]

In 2002, Bellucci co-starred with Cassel in {{lang|es|[[Gaspar Noé]]|italic=no}}'s "violent" arthouse [[thriller film|thriller]] {{lang|fr|[[Irréversible]]}}.{{efn|A confident {{lang|es|Gaspar Noé|italic=no}} had initially asked Vincent Cassel to star alongside Bellucci in a [[pornographic film]].<ref name="Douin2004"/> After listening to Noé's offer, "we told him there was no way we could do that", said Cassel.<ref>{{cite news |last=Dawson |first=Tom |date=22 January 2003 |title=Movies − Vincent Cassel: Irréversible |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2003/01/22/vincent_cassel_irreversible_interview.shtml |url-status=live |language=en-GB |work=BBC Online |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210163920/https://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2003/01/22/vincent_cassel_irreversible_interview.shtml |archive-date=10 December 2023 |access-date=10 December 2023}}</ref> While discussing it with Noé, they diverted his intention in another direction and ''Irréversible'' emerged. "[Noé] is also very free, he doubts nothing", said Bellucci.<ref name="Douin2004"/>}}<ref name="Times2005-10-30"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Maher |first=Kevin |date=12 January 2003 |title=What's behind the gore? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2003/jan/12/filmcensorship.features |url-status=live |language=en-GB |newspaper=The Guardian |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220924084349/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2003/jan/12/filmcensorship.features |archive-date=24 September 2022 |access-date=13 March 2023}}</ref> The revenge film, which was filmed on [[Super 16 film]] using hand-held cameras, depicts Bellucci playing Alex, who is graphically raped for nine uninterrupted minutes in an underpass, a scene Bellucci had to film four times.<ref name="Salisbury2005"/> Bellucci's "indelible scene" was filmed on the outskirts of Paris, in an area frequented by prostitutes. Bellucci and Cassel, who at the time were in a relationship, were some of "the country's biggest talents".<ref name="Loayza2023">{{cite news |last=Loayza |first=Beatrice |date=7 March 2023 |title=Twenty Years Later, 'Irreversible' Still Shocks |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/07/movies/irreversible-anniversary.html |url-status=live |newspaper=The New York Times |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230308011812/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/07/movies/irreversible-anniversary.html |archive-date=8 March 2023 |access-date=17 June 2023 |url-access=limited}}</ref> Audiences at the [[2002 Cannes Film Festival]] were outraged during the midnight premiere of ''Irréversible'',{{efn|At the screening of ''Irréversible'' at the [[Cannes Film Festival]] on 24 May 2002, "visceral reactions from the audience" were reported: faintings, nervous breakdowns, 200 hasty departures, and people passing out in the lobby. Opinions differed; comments such as "an accomplished work" would burst forth from the crowd.<ref name="VF2020-08-26"/>}} with some calling it "unsustainable".<ref name="VF2020-08-26">{{cite magazine |date=26 August 2020 |title=Cinéma: Le jour où 'Irréversible' a fait souffler un vent de scandale sur la Croisette |trans-title=Cinema: The day when 'Irreversible' blew a wind of scandal on the Croisette |url=https://www.vanityfair.fr/culture/ecrans/story/le-jour-ou-irreversible-a-fait-souffler-un-vent-de-scandale-sur-la-croisette/12351 |url-status=live |language=fr |magazine=Vanity Fair |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230311222835/https://www.vanityfair.fr/culture/ecrans/story/le-jour-ou-irreversible-a-fait-souffler-un-vent-de-scandale-sur-la-croisette/12351 |archive-date=11 March 2023 |access-date=16 February 2024}}</ref><ref name="RS2023-02-16">{{cite magazine |last=Austin Collins |first=K. |date=16 February 2023 |title=One of the Most Controversial Movies Ever Is Back in Theaters |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-reviews/irreversible-straight-cut-gaspar-noe-rape-revenge-disturbing-movie-vincent-cassel-monica-bellucci-1234679080/ |url-status=live |magazine=Rolling Stone |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217071518/https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-reviews/irreversible-straight-cut-gaspar-noe-rape-revenge-disturbing-movie-vincent-cassel-monica-bellucci-1234679080/ |archive-date=17 February 2023 |access-date=16 February 2024 |url-access=limited}}</ref> Lisa Nesselson of ''Variety'' said Bellucci showed "responses to peril and joy [that are] particularly memorable".<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Nesselson |first=Lisa |date=24 May 2002 |title=Film Review: Irreversible |url=https://variety.com/2002/film/markets-festivals/irreversible-1200549352/ |url-status=live |magazine=Variety |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305134123/https://variety.com/2002/film/markets-festivals/irreversible-1200549352/ |archive-date=5 March 2016 |access-date=12 March 2023}}</ref> The film has been studied in [[film schools]].<ref name="VanEgmond2017"/><ref name="Sajip2018">{{cite magazine |last=Sajip |first=Arjun |date=22 June 2018 |title=Monica Bellucci tells Glass how she leads her life through her work |url=https://www.theglassmagazine.com/exclusive-interview-with-monica-bellucci/ |department=Interview |magazine=The Glass Magazine |location=London, UK |issue=33, ''Timeless'' |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210504023027/https://www.theglassmagazine.com/exclusive-interview-with-monica-bellucci/ |archive-date=4 May 2021 |access-date=12 November 2023 |issn=2041-6318}}</ref> Noé said he "has never seen an actress so charismatic&nbsp;... with that much guts&nbsp;... her performance is incredibly audacious".<ref>{{cite news |date=2 September 2019 |title=Pour Gaspar Noé, 'plus personne n'oserait financer Irréversible' |trans-title=For Gaspar Noé, 'no one would dare to finance 'Irreversible' anymore' |url=https://www.20minutes.fr/arts-stars/culture/2594543-20190902-gaspar-noe-plus-personne-oserait-financer-irreversible |url-status=live |language=fr |newspaper=[[20 minutes (France)|20 minutes]] |agency=Agence France-Presse |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803152630/https://www.20minutes.fr/arts-stars/culture/2594543-20190902-gaspar-noe-plus-personne-oserait-financer-irreversible |archive-date=3 August 2021 |access-date=31 January 2024}}</ref> K. Austin Collins of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' called ''Irréversible'' "one of the most controversial movies ever".<ref name="RS2023-02-16"/>

In 2003, Bellucci played Alessia in the Italian film ''[[Remember Me, My Love]]'', which was directed by [[Gabriele Muccino]] and earned Bellucci the [[Nastro d'Argento]] award for [[Nastro d'Argento for Best Supporting Actress|Best Supporting Actress]].{{sfn|Moliterno|2020|p=62}}<ref name="Jennings2003">{{cite magazine |last=Jennings |first=Sheri |date=15 May 2003 |title=D'Argento awards note top 2 helmers |url=https://variety.com/2003/film/news/d-argento-awards-note-top-2-helmers-1117886279/ |url-status=live |magazine=Variety |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140422072513/https://variety.com/2003/film/news/d-argento-awards-note-top-2-helmers-1117886279/ |archive-date=22 April 2014 |access-date=20 March 2023}}</ref> Bellucci co-starred with [[Bruce Willis]] in [[Antoine Fuqua]]'s ''[[Tears of the Sun]]'' (2003), an [[Action film#Action-adventure|action-adventure]] film that is set during a civil war in Nigeria. Bellucci played Doctor Lena Kendricks, who is working for a humanitarian organisation in a village that is threatened by rebels. Film critic [[David Denby]] of ''[[The New Yorker]]'' said some of Bellucci's scenes were exaggeratedly stylised but praised the film's visual prowess.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Denby |first=David |author-link=David Denby |date=9 March 2003 |title=Riding Into Battle |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2003/03/17/riding-into-battle |url-status=live |magazine=[[The New Yorker]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230317222502/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2003/03/17/riding-into-battle |archive-date=17 March 2023 |access-date=17 March 2023 |url-access=limited}}</ref> ''Los Angeles Times'' film critic [[Kenneth Turan]] lauded Bellucci's "fierce" portrayal of Kendricks, who also had a "stereotypically fiery temperament".<ref>{{cite news |last=Turan |first=Kenneth |author-link=Kenneth Turan |date=7 March 2003 |title=Guts, gore − and do-gooders |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-mar-07-et-turan7-story.html |url-status=live |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210153639/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-mar-07-et-turan7-story.html |archive-date=10 December 2023 |access-date=10 December 2023}}</ref> ''Tears of the Sun'' garnered mixed reviews from critics and was a box-office disappointment.<ref>{{cite news |last=M. Holson |first=Laura |date=14 April 2003 |title=Media; Appetite for War Films Seems Less Heart |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/04/14/business/media-appetite-for-war-films-seems-less-hearty.html |url-status=live |newspaper=The New York Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190830081239/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/04/14/business/media-appetite-for-war-films-seems-less-hearty.html |archive-date=30 August 2019 |access-date=17 March 2023 |url-access=limited}}</ref>

Bellucci successively portrayed the character [[Persephone (The Matrix)|Persephone]] in the two 2003 [[science fiction film|science fiction]] films ''[[The Matrix Reloaded]]'' and ''[[The Matrix Revolutions]]''.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bradshaw |first=Peter |author-link=Peter Bradshaw |date=23 May 2003 |title=The Matrix Reloaded |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2003/may/23/artsfeatures.dvdreviews |url-status=live |language=en-GB |newspaper=The Guardian |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922063331/https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2003/may/23/artsfeatures.dvdreviews |archive-date=22 September 2022 |access-date=18 March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |date=14 August 2003 |title=The Matrix Revolutions |url=https://ew.com/article/2003/08/14/matrix-revolutions/ |url-status=live |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231021125613/https://ew.com/article/2003/08/14/matrix-revolutions/ |archive-date=21 October 2023 |access-date=21 October 2023}}</ref> She described her character as "dangerous, sensual with some sense of humor", recalling fond memories with [[Carrie-Anne Moss]], [[Laurence Fishburne]], and [[Keanu Reeves]] throughout the filming process in Australia.<ref name="Morales2003">{{cite news |last=Morales |first=Wilson |date=March 2003 |title=Tears of the Sun: An Interview with Monica Bellucci |url=http://www.blackfilm.com/20030307/features/monicabellucci.shtml |url-status=live |work=Blackfilm.com |location=[[Greenwich Street]], New York City |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200224221023/http://www.blackfilm.com/20030307/features/monicabellucci.shtml |archive-date=24 February 2020 |access-date=18 March 2023}}</ref> Film critic [[Andrew Sarris]] of ''[[The New York Observer]]'' gave ''The Matrix Reloaded'' a positive review,<ref>{{cite news |last=Sarris |first=Andrew |author-link=Andrew Sarris |date=9 June 2003 |title=Keanu's Neo-Classical Cool Lightens Overloaded Matrix |url=https://observer.com/2003/06/keanus-neoclassical-cool-lightens-overloaded-matrix/ |url-status=live |newspaper=The New York Observer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240216153520/https://observer.com/2003/06/keanus-neoclassical-cool-lightens-overloaded-matrix/ |archive-date=16 February 2024 |access-date=16 February 2024}}</ref> grossing $742.1&nbsp;million worldwide against a budget of $150&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Lang |first=Brent |date=29 March 2016 |title='Deadpool' Overtakes 'Matrix Reloaded' as Highest-Grossing R-Rated Movie |url=https://variety.com/2016/film/box-office/deadpool-box-office-biggest-r-rated-movie-1201740907/ |url-status=live |magazine=Variety |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170115053828/https://variety.com/2016/film/box-office/deadpool-box-office-biggest-r-rated-movie-1201740907/ |archive-date=15 January 2017 |access-date=18 March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Farhi |first=Paul |date=5 July 2003 |title=Back in a Big Way |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/style/2003/07/06/back-in-a-big-way/e21b145a-7171-4396-a0ea-fd338c704be2/ |url-status=live |newspaper=The Washington Post |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240323191619/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/style/2003/07/06/back-in-a-big-way/e21b145a-7171-4396-a0ea-fd338c704be2/ |archive-date=23 March 2024 |access-date=23 March 2024}}</ref> Alongside its release, Bellucci appeared on the cover of ''Rolling Stone''{{'s}} Spanish edition.<ref>{{cite news |date=30 May 2003 |title=Un beso de dos días |trans-title=A two-day kiss |url=https://elpais.com/diario/2003/05/30/agenda/1054245605_850215.html |url-status=live |language=es |newspaper=[[El País]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230911170930/https://elpais.com/diario/2003/05/30/agenda/1054245605_850215.html |archive-date=11 September 2023 |access-date=11 September 2023 |url-access=registration}}</ref> The Merovingian ([[Lambert Wilson]]) again accompanied Bellucci as her screen husband in ''The Matrix Revolutions'', which received mixed reviews from critics.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Denby |first=David |author-link=David Denby |date=2 November 2003 |title=When Worlds Collide |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2003/11/10/when-worlds-collide |url-status=live |magazine=The New Yorker |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240216170526/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2003/11/10/when-worlds-collide |archive-date=16 February 2024 |access-date=16 February 2024 |url-access=limited}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Scott |first=A. O. |author-link=A. O. Scott |date=5 November 2003 |title=Film Review; The Game Concludes With Light And Noise |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/05/movies/film-review-the-game-concludes-with-light-and-noise.html |url-status=live |newspaper=The New York Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210608201403/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/05/movies/film-review-the-game-concludes-with-light-and-noise.html |archive-date=8 June 2021 |access-date=18 March 2023 |url-access=limited}}</ref> It grossed $427&nbsp;million against a production and marketing budget of $185&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Kit |first1=Borys |last2=Gardner |first2=Chris |date=7 January 2022 |title=Will Box Office Scuttle 'Matrix' Reboot Possibilities? |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/matrix-resurrection-sequels-1235071520/ |url-status=live |magazine=The Hollywood Reporter |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203114858/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/matrix-resurrection-sequels-1235071520/ |archive-date=3 February 2023 |access-date=17 February 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Isidore |first=Chris |date=16 December 2003 |title=Much riding on 'Rings' |url=https://money.cnn.com/2003/12/16/news/companies/lotr/index.htm |url-status=live |work=CNN Business |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027212111/https://money.cnn.com/2003/12/16/news/companies/lotr/index.htm |archive-date=27 October 2020 |access-date=18 March 2023}}</ref>

===2004–2007: ''The Passion of the Christ'' and career progression===
In [[Rome]], before filming ''Tears of the Sun'', Bellucci was notified a [[Mel Gibson]] film about Jesus was in production and she asked to meet with him about the role of [[Mary Magdalene]].<ref name="Campion2003"/> Bellucci's agent advised her against appearing in this film due to its potential failure because its distribution was undetermined at the time. Bellucci ignored her agent's suggestion and rejected another film offer.<ref name="Salisbury2005"/> Gibson chose Bellucci for the role because they "liked each other".<ref name="Morales2003"/> She wanted to portray the character as "strong and deep" but no-one believed the film would succeed.<ref name="Pickle2005">{{cite news |last=Pickle |first=Betsy |date=26 August 2005 |title=Monica Bellucci |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/monica-bellucci/article18245314/ |url-status=live |newspaper=[[The Globe and Mail]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409172828/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/monica-bellucci/article18245314/ |archive-date=9 April 2023 |access-date=6 November 2023}}</ref> Eventually, Bellucci played an expressive Mary Magdalene in Gibson's Christian drama ''[[The Passion of the Christ]]'' (2004), which depicts the final hours of the life of Jesus Christ.<ref name="NYT2004-02-25">{{cite news |last=Scott |first=A. O. |author-link=A. O. Scott |date=25 February 2004 |title=Film Review; Good and Evil Locked In Violent Showdown |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/25/movies/film-review-good-and-evil-locked-in-violent-showdown.html |url-status=live |newspaper=The New York Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516031632/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/25/movies/film-review-good-and-evil-locked-in-violent-showdown.html |archive-date=16 May 2022 |access-date=21 October 2023 |url-access=limited}}</ref> The film includes dialogue in [[Aramaic]] and [[Latin]], languages Bellucci had to quickly learn.<ref name="Campion2003"/><ref name="Narbonne2017"/> ''[[The New York Times]]'' film critic [[A. O. Scott]] said Bellucci was the only exception to the "absence of identifiable movie stars".<ref name="NYT2004-02-25"/> Expressing a similar opinion, ''[[Le Monde]]'' said in the film portraying a fundamentalist view of the [[Gospel]], Bellucci stands out from the cast list the most.<ref>{{cite news |date=25 February 2004 |title=Sur fond de polémique, 'La Passion du Christ' est sorti sur les écrans américains |trans-title=Against a backdrop of controversy, 'The Passion of the Christ' is released on American screens |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/archives/article/2004/02/25/sur-fond-de-polemique-la-passion-du-christ-est-sorti-sur-les-ecrans-americains_354426_1819218.html |url-status=live |language=fr |newspaper=Le Monde; with BBC Online |agency=Agence France-Presse; Associated Press |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230318183143/https://www.lemonde.fr/archives/article/2004/02/25/sur-fond-de-polemique-la-passion-du-christ-est-sorti-sur-les-ecrans-americains_354426_1819218.html |archive-date=18 March 2023 |access-date=31 January 2024 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> According to film critic [[Paul Clinton]], Bellucci "is excellent as Mary Magdalene".<ref>{{cite news |last=Clinton |first=Paul |author-link=Paul Clinton |date=26 February 2004 |title=Review: A powerful, personal 'Passion' |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/Movies/02/25/review.passion/index.html |url-status=live |work=CNN International |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230811024247/https://edition.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/Movies/02/25/review.passion/index.html |archive-date=11 August 2023 |access-date=6 January 2024}}</ref> Catholics objected to Bellucci playing Magdalene.<ref name="Times2005-10-30"/> Film critic [[Roger Ebert]] described ''The Passion of the Christ'' as "the most violent film I have ever seen", adding he was "moved by the depth of feeling, by the skill of the actors" and gave a rating of four stars out of four. Overall, critics were divided in their responses to the film.<!-- General reference. --><ref>{{cite news |date=26 February 2004 |title=What the critics are saying |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/Movies/02/25/passion.reviews/index.html |url-status=live |work=CNN International |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191231142007/https://edition.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/Movies/02/25/passion.reviews/index.html |archive-date=31 December 2019 |access-date=16 February 2024}}</ref> ''The Passion of the Christ'' was a major commercial success with a worldwide gross of over $611&nbsp;million against a budget of $30&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite news |last=Alexander |first=Bryan |date=29 January 2018 |title=New 'Passion of the Christ' will be 'the biggest film in history', Jim Caviezel promises  |url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2018/01/29/jim-caviezel-jesus-christ-passion-sequel/1074871001/ |url-status=live |newspaper=[[USA Today]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181211194906/https://eu.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2018/01/29/jim-caviezel-jesus-christ-passion-sequel/1074871001/ |archive-date=11 December 2018 |access-date=19 March 2023}}</ref>

[[File:Monica Bellucci 2006.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.75|alt=Bellucci on the 2006 Cannes Film Festival red carpet|Bellucci at the [[2006 Cannes Film Festival]]]]

On 2 July 2005, Bellucci was awarded the European Golden Globe for cinema at Rome's 45th Globo d'oro ceremony.<ref name="EGG2005">{{cite news |date=21 June 2005 |title=Actress Bellucci wins 'Globo d'Oro' prize |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/actress-bellucci-wins-globo-doro-prize/article18230180/ |url-status=live |newspaper=The Globe and Mail |agency=Agence France-Presse |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416125426/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/actress-bellucci-wins-globo-doro-prize/article18230180/ |archive-date=16 April 2023 |access-date=7 October 2023}}</ref> She said she appreciated acting in both American and European films.<ref name="Pickle2005"/> In [[Terry Gilliam]]'s [[Fantasy film|fantasy]] [[Adventure film|adventure]] film ''[[The Brothers Grimm (film)|The Brothers Grimm]]'' (2005), Bellucci played the 500-year-old Mirror Queen, starring opposite [[Matt Damon]] and [[Heath Ledger]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Palmer |first=Martyn |date=29 October 2005 |title=Monica Bellucci |url=https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/europe-travel/france/paris/monica-bellucci-7gb6h2x0kjn |url-status=live |language=en-GB |newspaper=[[The Times]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211126060716/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/monica-bellucci-7gb6h2x0kjn |archive-date=26 November 2021 |access-date=16 February 2024 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> Gilliam later said: "[i]mmediately she comes on-screen, it seems to me the whole film lifts up into another realm, a realm of sex and sensuality and danger".<ref name="Salisbury2005"/> ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]'' film critic [[Mick LaSalle]] said Bellucci convincingly portrayed her character, whose centuries-old age appeared to him to be discordant with her "allure".<ref>{{cite news |last=LaSalle |first=Mick |author-link=Mick LaSalle |date=26 August 2005 |title=The fakers Grimm, before they became famous storytellers |url=https://www.sfgate.com/movies/article/The-fakers-Grimm-before-they-became-famous-2614491.php |url-status=live |newspaper=[[San Francisco Chronicle]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307034242/https://www.sfgate.com/movies/article/The-fakers-Grimm-before-they-became-famous-2614491.php |archive-date=7 March 2023 |access-date=11 November 2023}}</ref> She also voiced Cappy for the French version of the 2005 animated film ''[[Robots (2005 film)|Robots]]''.<ref name="Robots2005">{{cite news |date=18 November 2004 |title=Cinéma: Vincent Cassel retrouve Monica Bellucci |trans-title= Cinema: Vincent Cassel finds Monica Bellucci again |url=https://www.dhnet.be/archives-journal/2004/11/19/cinema-vincent-cassel-retrouve-monica-bellucci-6CEFZFPD2JDIHIII4RCXY26NQ4/ |url-status=live |language=fr |newspaper=[[La Dernière Heure]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230330162936/https://www.dhnet.be/archives-journal/2004/11/19/cinema-vincent-cassel-retrouve-monica-bellucci-6CEFZFPD2JDIHIII4RCXY26NQ4/ |archive-date=30 March 2023 |access-date=21 October 2023}}</ref> Bellucci had a leading role in [[Bertrand Blier]]'s French [[romantic comedy]] ''[[How Much Do You Love Me?]]'', which also starred {{lang|fr|[[Gérard Depardieu]]|italic=no}}. Bellucci portrayed Daniela, the most beautiful prostitute in [[Pigalle, Paris]], whom a lottery-winning office worker offers to pay to live with him. A journalist at {{lang|fr|Le Monde}} called the film "a hymn to the beauty of Monica Bellucci", and said it is neither Blier's best film nor his most failed.<ref>{{cite news |date=25 October 2005 |title='Combien tu m'aimes?': hymne à l'actrice Monica Bellucci et à son corps déshabillé |trans-title='How much do you love me ?': hymn to actress Monica Bellucci and her undressed body |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/cinema/article/2005/10/25/combien-tu-m-aimes-hymne-a-l-actrice-monica-bellucci-et-a-son-corps-deshabille_703197_3476.html |url-status=live |language=fr |newspaper=[[Le Monde]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230322190233/https://www.lemonde.fr/cinema/article/2005/10/25/combien-tu-m-aimes-hymne-a-l-actrice-monica-bellucci-et-a-son-corps-deshabille_703197_3476.html |archive-date=22 March 2023 |access-date=24 March 2024}}</ref> Nesselson commented Bellucci was optimally used in the film because she stimulates the viewer's senses and intellect.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Nesselson |first=Lisa |date=1 November 2005 |title=Film Review: How Much Do You Love Me? |url=https://variety.com/2005/film/reviews/how-much-do-you-love-me-1200520582/ |url-status=live |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180225232719/https://variety.com/2005/film/reviews/how-much-do-you-love-me-1200520582/ |archive-date=25 February 2018 |access-date=23 March 2023}}</ref>

In 2006, Bellucci starred alongside [[Daniel Auteuil]] in {{lang|it|[[Paolo Virzì]]|italic=no}}'s period comedy-drama ''[[Napoleon and Me]]'' as baroness Emilia, who has a turbulent relationship Martino ([[Elio Germano]]). The film depicts [[Napoleon|Napoleon Bonaparte]] during his exile to [[Elba]] from 1814 to 1815. Author [[Mark Feeney]] said Bellucci does not take "things too seriously" in the film.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://archive.boston.com/ae/movies/articles/2007/12/20/napoleon_has_charm_enough_to_intrigue/ |title='Napoleon' has charm enough to intrigue |last=Feeney |first=Mark |author-link=Mark Feeney |date=20 December 2007 |website=[[Boston.com]] |access-date=21 October 2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171205213018/http://archive.boston.com/ae/movies/articles/2007/12/20/napoleon_has_charm_enough_to_intrigue/ |archive-date=5 December 2017}}</ref> Bellucci said she declined to play a role in the [[Blockbuster (entertainment)|blockbuster]] ''[[300 (film)|300]]'' and instead appeared in the {{lang|fr|[[film d'auteur]]}} ({{lang|fr|auteur}} film) ''[[The Stone Council]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Croiset |first=Laure |date=17 May 2017 |title=Ce que vous ignorez (peut-être) sur Monica Bellucci |trans-title=What you (perhaps) don't know about Monica Bellucci |url=https://www.challenges.fr/cinema/festival-de-cannes/ce-que-vous-ignorez-peut-etre-sur-monica-bellucci-la-maitresse-de-ceremonie-du-70e-festival-de-cannes_554965 |url-status=live |language=fr |magazine=[[Challenges (magazine)|Challenges]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231109202837/https://www.challenges.fr/cinema/festival-de-cannes/ce-que-vous-ignorez-peut-etre-sur-monica-bellucci-la-maitresse-de-ceremonie-du-70e-festival-de-cannes_554965 |archive-date=9 November 2023 |access-date=11 November 2023}}</ref> Bellucci was cast after the initial announcement of [[Sophie Marceau]] for the lead role in the thriller. ''The Stone Council'' was adapted from the eponymous novel by [[Jean-Christophe Grangé]]. The film differs by character names; the book's female hero is called Diane Thiberge whereas Bellucci starred as Laura Siprien, a tormented adoptive mother who is confronted by killers who want to steal her child. {{lang|fr|Sébastien Le Fol|italic=no}} of {{lang|fr|[[Le Figaro]]}} wrote that she "delivers one of her best performances on the big screen" with a muted sex appeal.<ref>{{cite news |last=Le Fol |first=Sébastien |date=10 November 2006 |title=Le Thriller a la Française |trans-title=The French Thriller |url=https://www.lefigaro.fr/lefigaromagazine/2006/11/10/01006-20061110ARTMAG90430-le_thriller_la_franaise.php |url-status=live |language=fr |newspaper=[[Le Figaro]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230324174357/https://www.lefigaro.fr/lefigaromagazine/2006/11/10/01006-20061110ARTMAG90430-le_thriller_la_franaise.php |archive-date=24 March 2023 |access-date=7 November 2023}}</ref> Bellucci's hair was cut short for the film, a preferred style of French cinema hairstylist John Nollet, who also styled Bellucci on the sets of ''Brotherhood of the Wolf'' and ''Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Le Fort |first=Marie |date=9 May 2008 |title=John Nollet: artiste du cheveux |trans-title=John Nollet: hair artist |url=http://archives.lesechos.fr/archives/2008/SerieLimitee/00063-008-SLI.htm |url-status=live |language=fr |department=Interview |newspaper=[[Les Echos (France)|Les Echos]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428210152/http://archives.lesechos.fr/archives/2008/SerieLimitee/00063-008-SLI.htm |archive-date=28 April 2019 |access-date=23 March 2023}}</ref>

Bellucci starred opposite [[Paul Giamatti]] and [[Clive Owen]] in [[Michael Davis (director)|Michael Davis]]' action thriller ''[[Shoot 'Em Up (film)|Shoot 'Em Up]]'', which was released in the US in September 2007. Bellucci portrayed Donna Quintano, who teams up with Owen's character Mr Smith to protect a baby during a bloody fight.<ref>{{cite news |last=Scott |first=A. O. |author-link=A. O. Scott |date=7 September 2007 |title=Never Mind Those Bullets, a Newborn Needs Rescuing |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/07/movies/07shoo.html |url-status=live |newspaper=The New York Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126032529/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/07/movies/07shoo.html |archive-date=26 November 2022 |access-date=21 October 2023 |url-access=limited}}</ref> Bellucci's character is another prostitute with a different approach than that of her character in ''How Much Do You Love Me?''; Bellucci said she felt empathy for female sex workers, who she believes retain "faith in humanity". She was fond of this sort of paradox and tried to highlight this virtue in her portrayals of characters of all types but noted she could explore the opposite spectrum.<ref name="Lussier2007">{{cite news |last=Lussier |first=Marc-André |date=1 September 2007 |title=Monica Bellucci à l'américaine |trans-title=American-style Monica Bellucci |url=https://www.lapresse.ca/cinema/nouvelles/entrevues/201207/17/01-4555918-monica-bellucci-a-lamericaine.php |url-status=live |language=fr-CA |department=Interview |newspaper=[[La Presse (Canadian newspaper)|La Presse]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325130338/https://www.lapresse.ca/cinema/nouvelles/entrevues/201207/17/01-4555918-monica-bellucci-a-lamericaine.php |archive-date=25 March 2023 |access-date=25 March 2023 |url-access=registration}}</ref> Richard James Havis of the ''[[South China Morning Post]]'' wrote: "It's the latest in a slew of extreme roles".<ref name="SCMP2016"/> Bellucci dubbed her own voice for the French and Italian releases of ''Shoot 'Em Up'', saying it was a frequent practice for her to accomplish each film three times.<ref>{{cite news |date=5 September 2007 |title=Monica Bellucci's balancing act |url=http://www.craveonline.com/entertainment/film/article/monica-belluccis-balancing-act-64993 |department=Interview |work=[[Mandatory (company)|CraveOnline]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100331202756/http://www.craveonline.com/entertainment/film/article/monica-belluccis-balancing-act-64993 |archive-date=31 March 2010 |access-date=30 March 2023}}</ref>{{cbignore}}

Bellucci continued to work in French film productions and starred alongside Auteuil in [[Alain Corneau]]'s ''[[The Second Wind]]'', a remake of the critically acclaimed [[Jean-Pierre Melville]]'s 1966 [[Gangster film|gangster]] film [[Le deuxième souffle (1966 film)|of the same title]].<ref>{{cite magazine |date=11 September 2007 |title=The Second Wind (Le deuxieme souffle) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/second-wind-le-deuxieme-souffle-159251/ |url-status=live |magazine=The Hollywood Reporter |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325152955/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/second-wind-le-deuxieme-souffle-159251/ |archive-date=25 March 2023 |access-date=7 November 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=n.d. |title=Second Breath |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/le_deuxieme_souffle |url-status=live |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230325165109/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/le_deuxieme_souffle |archive-date=25 March 2023 |access-date=25 March 2023}}</ref> Bellucci portrayed Manouche, a tenacious character who has affection for an escaped convicted gangster. Bellucci had the idea of dyeing her hair blonde to adhere to the style of female film noir characters of the 1950s and 1960s.<ref>{{cite news |last=Aloisi |first=Silvia |date=18 October 2007 |title=Sultry Bellucci opens Rome film festival |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-rome-film-idUSL1873565520071018 |url-status=live |work=[[Reuters]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325160838/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-rome-film-idUSL1873565520071018 |archive-date=25 March 2023 |access-date=27 December 2023}}</ref> {{lang|fr|Thierry Jousse|italic=no}}, a critic for {{lang|fr|[[Libération]]}}, wrote Bellucci was alone in a "fatally virile" context but she got through it "to the point of becoming the spectator's compass and the flesh of a film that sometimes lacks it".<ref>{{cite news |last=Jousse |first=Thierry |date=24 October 2007 |title=Alain Corneau trouve un second 'Souffle' |trans-title=Alain Corneau finds a second 'Wind' |url=https://www.liberation.fr/cinema/2007/10/24/alain-corneau-trouve-un-second-souffle_104558/ |url-status=live |language=fr |newspaper=[[Libération]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917183643/https://www.liberation.fr/cinema/2007/10/24/alain-corneau-trouve-un-second-souffle_104558/ |archive-date=17 September 2021 |access-date=25 March 2023}}</ref> In November 2007, ''Le Monde'' reported on the commercial failures of ''The Second Wind'' and ''The Stone Council''.<ref>{{cite news |last=Vulser |first=Nicole |date=14 November 2007 |title='Sa Majesté Minor', flop majeur au cinéma |trans-title='His Majesty Minor', major flop at the cinema |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/cinema/article/2007/11/14/sa-majeste-minor-flop-majeur-au-cinema_978244_3476.html |url-status=live |language=fr |newspaper=Le Monde |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240218135633/https://www.lemonde.fr/cinema/article/2007/11/14/sa-majeste-minor-flop-majeur-au-cinema_978244_3476.html |archive-date=18 February 2024 |access-date=18 February 2024}}</ref>

===2008–2017: Continued international work===
[[File:Monica Bellucci, Women's World Awards 2009 b.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|alt=Bellucci looks to the side while being photographed|Bellucci at the [[Women's World Award]] in 2009]]

Bellucci felt a "visceral" need to regularly act in Italian films.<ref name="Lussier2007"/> In 2008, she co-starred in [[Marco Tullio Giordana]]'s ''[[Wild Blood (2008 film)|Wild Blood]]'' with [[Luca Zingaretti]]. The historical panorama examines the fate of [[Luisa Ferida]] (Bellucci) and [[Osvaldo Valenti]] (Zingaretti), leading actors during the [[Italian fascism]] period. Author [[Barry Forshaw]] called Bellucci "charismatic"<ref>{{cite book |last=Forshaw |first=Barry |author-link=Barry Forshaw |year=2017 |title=Italian Cinema: Arthouse to Exploitation |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FFVeDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA138 |edition=2nd |location=London |publisher=Kamera Books |page=138 |isbn=978-1-843-44910-2}}</ref> and author Gino Moliterno praised her performance as "extremely powerful".{{sfn|Moliterno|2020|pp=62–63}} Next, Bellucci played Alba in the Italian film ''[[The Man Who Loves]]'', where she was enamoured with [[Pierfrancesco Favino]]'s character Roberto through a cinematic [[Flashback (narrative)|flashback]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Senjanovic |first=Natasha |date=23 October 2008 |title=The Man Who Loves |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/man-who-loves-125789/ |url-status=live |magazine=The Hollywood Reporter |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325204851/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/man-who-loves-125789/ |archive-date=25 March 2023 |access-date=25 March 2023}}</ref>

On 5 March 2009, Bellucci received a World Actress Award at the [[Women's World Award]] in [[Vienna]].<ref>{{cite news |date=6 March 2009 |title=World's Women Honored |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/worlds-women-honored/ |url-status=live |work=[[CBS News]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230327170929/https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/worlds-women-honored/14/ |archive-date=27 March 2023 |access-date=27 March 2023}}</ref> The same year, Bellucci co-starred with Marceau in the thriller ''[[Don't Look Back (2009 film)|Don't Look Back]]'', a sequel to ''[[In My Skin (film)|In My Skin]]'', both of which were directed by [[Marina de Van]]. The film depicts Marceau's character seeing changes around her and noticing her body transform into Bellucci's.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Lunn |first=Pierre |date=11 July 2021 |title=Marina De Van: 'Ne te retourne pas est la suite logique de Dans Ma Peau' |trans-title=Marina De Van: 'Don't Look Back is the logical sequel to In My Skin' |url=https://www.premiere.fr/Cinema/News-Cinema/Marina-De-Van-Ne-te-retourne-pas-est-la-suite-logique-de-Dans-Ma-Peau |url-status=live |language=fr |department=Interview |magazine=[[Première (magazine)|Première]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525135924/https://www.premiere.fr/Cinema/News-Cinema/Marina-De-Van-Ne-te-retourne-pas-est-la-suite-logique-de-Dans-Ma-Peau |archive-date=25 May 2022 |access-date=21 October 2023}}</ref> J.B. Morain of ''[[Les Inrockuptibles]]'' said Bellucci's physical attitude and "attention to others have never been so well filmed". ''Variety''{{'}}s [[Derek Elley]] said Bellucci "looks elegant and mystified", although both film critics noted the clumsily written dialogue.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Morain |first=J.B. |date=29 May 2009 |title=Ne te retourne pas |trans-title=Don't look back |url=https://www.lesinrocks.com/cinema/ne-te-retourne-pas-25288-29-05-2009/ |url-status=live |language=fr |magazine=[[Les Inrockuptibles]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230326121954/https://www.lesinrocks.com/cinema/ne-te-retourne-pas-25288-29-05-2009/ |archive-date=26 March 2023 |access-date=21 October 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Elley |first=Derek |author-link=Derek Elley |date=16 May 2009 |title=Don't Look Back |url=https://variety.com/2009/film/markets-festivals/don-t-look-back-3-1117940269/ |url-status=live |magazine=Variety |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022141118/https://variety.com/2009/film/markets-festivals/don-t-look-back-3-1117940269/ |archive-date=22 October 2021 |access-date=26 March 2023}}</ref> Bellucci reunited with Reeves in [[Rebecca Miller]]'s romantic comedy-drama ''[[The Private Lives of Pippa Lee]]'' (2009), which co-stars [[Winona Ryder]] and [[Robin Wright]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Holden |first=Stephen |author-link=Stephen Holden |date=4 August 2011 |title=In a Wife's Crème Brûlée, Visions of a Stormy Past |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/27/movies/27private.html |url-status=live |newspaper=The New York Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102173956/https://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/27/movies/27private.html |archive-date=2 November 2022 |access-date=21 October 2023 |url-access=limited}}</ref> Bellucci portrayed Gigi Lee, the former wife of a successful publisher Herb ([[Alan Arkin]]).<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Schwarzbaum |first=Lisa |author-link=Lisa Schwarzbaum |date=24 November 2009 |title=The Private Lives of Pippa Lee |url=https://ew.com/article/2009/11/24/private-lives-pippa-lee-2/ |url-status=live |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923001303/https://ew.com/article/2009/11/24/private-lives-pippa-lee-2/ |archive-date=23 September 2020 |access-date=27 March 2023}}</ref> She next appeared in a cameo role in Tornatore's autobiographical film ''[[Baarìa (film)|Baarìa]]'', a [[family saga]] traversing several generations that was filmed in [[Bagheria]], Sicily.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Senjanovic |first=Natasha |date=2 September 2009 |title=Baarìa − Film Review|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/baaria-film-review-93450/ |url-status=live |magazine=The Hollywood Reporter |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326101709/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/baaria-film-review-93450/ |archive-date=26 March 2023 |access-date=21 October 2023}}</ref>

In 2010, Bellucci portrayed Laura Leviani in [[Larysa Kondracki]]'s [[Biographical film|biopic]] drama thriller ''[[The Whistleblower]]'', which was primarily filmed in Romania and depicts a vast human trafficking network that was discovered in post-war [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]] in 1999.<ref>{{cite news |last=Holden |first=Stephen |author-link=Stephen Holden |date=4 August 2011 |title=American in Bosnia Discovers the Horrors of Human Trafficking |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/05/movies/the-whistleblower-with-rachel-weisz-review.html |url-status=live |newspaper=The New York Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230210101122/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/05/movies/the-whistleblower-with-rachel-weisz-review.html |archive-date=10 February 2023 |access-date=21 October 2023 |url-access=limited}}</ref> Hélène Delye of ''Le Monde'' described Bellucci's character as a "grizzled, stubborn, insensitive civil servant".<ref>{{cite news |last=Delye |first=Hélène |date=12 November 2011 |title=Seule contre tous |trans-title=Alone against everyone |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/vous/article/2011/11/12/seule-contre-tous_1602790_3238.html |url-status=live |language=fr |newspaper=[[Le Monde]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230508130454/https://www.lemonde.fr/vous/article/2011/11/12/seule-contre-tous_1602790_3238.html |archive-date=8 May 2023 |access-date=8 May 2023 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> ''The Whistleblower'' received a mixed critical reception.<ref>{{cite news |last=Punter |first=Jennie |date=12 August 2011 |title=The Whistleblower: A crusader steps out of her comfort zone |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/film/the-whistleblower-a-crusader-steps-out-of-her-comfort-zone/article629582/ |url-status=live |newspaper=The Globe and Mail |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240216174821/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/film/the-whistleblower-a-crusader-steps-out-of-her-comfort-zone/article629582/ |archive-date=16 February 2024 |access-date=16 February 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Willmore |first=Alison |date=13 August 2011 |title=The Whistleblower |url=https://www.avclub.com/the-whistleblower-1798169143 |url-status=live |work=[[The A.V. Club]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230402155744/https://www.avclub.com/the-whistleblower-1798169143 |archive-date=2 April 2023 |access-date=2 April 2023}}</ref> Bellucci made three films in seven months; these were [[Giovanni Veronesi]]'s ''[[The Ages of Love]]'', [[Philippe Garrel]]'s ''[[A Burning Hot Summer]]'', and [[Bahman Ghobadi]]'s ''[[Rhino Season]]''.<ref name="Genone2011">{{cite magazine |last=Genone |first=Paola |date=14 June 2011 |title=Monica Bellucci: 'Jouer avec De Niro est une leçon de vie' |trans-title=Monica Bellucci: 'Playing with De Niro is a life lesson' |url=https://www.lexpress.fr/culture/cinema/l-amour-a-ses-raisons-l-interview-de-monica-bellucci_1001474.html |url-status=live |language=fr |department=Interview |magazine=[[L'Express]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230917145949/https://www.lexpress.fr/culture/cinema/l-amour-a-ses-raisons-l-interview-de-monica-bellucci_1001474.html |archive-date=17 September 2023 |access-date=17 September 2023 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> In the third segment of the comedy [[anthology film]] film ''The Ages of Love'' (2011), Bellucci starred opposite [[Robert De Niro]], who played a divorced American art-history professor living in Rome who falls in love with Bellucci's character Viola.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Senjanovic |first=Natasha |date=24 February 2011 |title=Manual of Love 3: Film Review |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/manual-love-3-film-review-161158/ |url-status=live |magazine=The Hollywood Reporter |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230331175732/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/manual-love-3-film-review-161158/ |archive-date=31 March 2023 |access-date=21 October 2023}}</ref> De Niro was delighted to work with Bellucci, saying she had "worked her magic" on him and that he had accepted the role because he wanted to act alongside her. It was filmed two months after the birth of Bellucci's second child. An improvised scene shows De Niro performing a striptease in front of Bellucci, which echoes in reverse a sequence in the 1963 film ''[[Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow]]'', in which [[Sophia Loren]] stripteased for [[Marcello Mastroianni]].<ref name="Genone2011"/> For her role in ''Rhino Season'' (2012), Bellucci learnt to speak [[Persian language|Persian]].<ref name="Narbonne2017"/><ref name="Sajip2018"/> Journalist Helen Barlow of [[Special Broadcasting Service|SBS Australia]] said Bellucci "brought her natural poise and grace" to the character and "surprises with a stoic minimalist performance".<ref>{{cite news |last=Barlow |first=Helen |date=24 July 2013 |title=Rhino Season: Bahman Ghobadi, Monica Bellucci interview |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/whats-on/article/rhino-season-bahman-ghobadi-monica-bellucci-interview/vrmonovq7 |url-status=live |work=[[Special Broadcasting Service]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240101172331/https://www.sbs.com.au/whats-on/article/rhino-season-bahman-ghobadi-monica-bellucci-interview/vrmonovq7 |archive-date=1 January 2024 |access-date=2 January 2024}}</ref>

[[File:Monica Bellucci Cannes 2014 2.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.8|alt=Bellucci smiling and wearing a black top|Bellucci at the [[2014 Cannes Film Festival]]]]

In 2014, Bellucci appeared in [[Alice Rohrwacher]]'s ''[[The Wonders (film)|The Wonders]]'' as Milly Catena, host of a televised contest.<ref name="Barnard2015">{{cite news |last=Barnard |first=Linda |date=26 March 2015 |title=The Wonders review: Coming of age among the bees |url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/movies/2015/03/26/the-wonders-review-coming-of-age-among-the-bees.html |url-status=live |newspaper=[[Toronto Star]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224114715/https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/movies/2015/03/26/the-wonders-review-coming-of-age-among-the-bees.html |archive-date=24 February 2021 |access-date=21 October 2023}}</ref> In the film, which combines autobiographical aspects with fiction, Bellucci's character is depicted as a [[Paganism|Pagan]] priestess wearing elaborate clothes and surrounded with ancient figures.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Bondanella |first1=Peter |author-link1=Peter Bondanella |last2=Pacchioni |first2=Federico |year=2017 |title=A History of Italian Cinema |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tbM2DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA629 |url-status=live |edition=2nd |location=UK |publisher=[[Bloomsbury Publishing]] |page=629 |isbn=978-1-5013-0764-5 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230505144609/https://books.google.com/books?id=tbM2DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA629 |archive-date=5 May 2023}}</ref> ''The Wonders'' was critically acclaimed and won the [[Grand Prix (Cannes Film Festival)|Grand Prix]] Award at the [[2014 Cannes Film Festival]].<ref name="Barnard2015"/> In 2015, Bellucci starred as Sophie Bernard in the Canadian drama film ''[[Ville-Marie (film)|Ville-Marie]]'', which was directed by [[Guy Édoin]]. The film traces the journey of Bernard, a European actress visiting [[Montreal]] for a film shoot and trying to reconcile with her son.<ref name="Dunlevy2015">{{cite news |last=Dunlevy |first=T'Cha |date=8 October 2015 |title=Movie review: Ville-Marie illuminated by Monica Bellucci's presence |url=https://montrealgazette.com/entertainment/movies/movie-review-ville-marie-illuminated-by-monica-belluccis-presence |url-status=live |newspaper=[[Montreal Gazette]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230401124617/https://montrealgazette.com/entertainment/movies/movie-review-ville-marie-illuminated-by-monica-belluccis-presence |archive-date=1 April 2023 |access-date=21 October 2023}}</ref> Bellucci stated Édoin had offered her "one of the most beautiful roles" of her career and described a stimulating fear of embodying Bernard's character that emotionally affected her.<ref>{{cite news |last=Vallet |first=Stéphanie |date=16 October 2014 |title=Ville-Marie: sous le charme de Monica Bellucci |trans-title=Ville-Marie: under the charm of Monica Bellucci |url=https://www.lapresse.ca/cinema/cinema-quebecois/201410/16/01-4809662-ville-marie-sous-le-charme-de-monica-bellucci.php |url-status=live |language=fr-CA |department=Interview |work=La Presse |location=[[Montreal]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190422072633/https://www.lapresse.ca/cinema/cinema-quebecois/201410/16/01-4809662-ville-marie-sous-le-charme-de-monica-bellucci.php |archive-date=22 April 2019 |access-date=1 April 2023 |url-access=registration}}</ref> The film garnered generally positive reviews and Bellucci's performance was unanimously praised.<ref name="Dunlevy2015"/><ref>Critical response to ''Ville-Marie'':
* {{cite news |last=Brady |first=Tara |date=22 February 2016 |title=ADiff review: Monica Bellucci impresses in Ville-Marie |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/film/adiff-review-monica-bellucci-impresses-in-ville-marie-1.2544328 |url-status=live |newspaper=[[The Irish Times]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929144724/https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/film/adiff-review-monica-bellucci-impresses-in-ville-marie-1.2544328 |archive-date=29 September 2022 |access-date=14 April 2023}}
* {{cite magazine |last=van Hoeij |first=Boyd |date=14 September 2015 |title='Ville-Marie': TIFF Review |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/ville-marie-tiff-review-822885/ |url-status=live |magazine=The Hollywood Reporter |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230401142056/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/ville-marie-tiff-review-822885/ |archive-date=1 April 2023 |access-date=1 April 2023}}</ref> For her portrayal of Bernard, Bellucci received the Best Actress Award from the [[Dublin Film Critics' Circle]] at [[Dublin International Film Festival#2016|Dublin International Film Festival]].<ref name="Ramachandran2016">{{cite news |last=Ramachandran |first=Naman |author-link=Naman Ramachandran |date=2 March 2016 |title=''Viva, Mustang, Evolution'' win at Dublin |url=https://cineuropa.org/en/newsdetail/305890/ |url-status=live |work=[[Cineuropa]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230401143358/https://cineuropa.org/en/newsdetail/305890/ |archive-date=1 April 2023 |access-date=1 April 2023}}</ref>

At 50, Bellucci became the oldest [[Bond girl]] at that time in the [[James Bond in film|James Bond film franchise]], playing Lucia Sciarra in [[Sam Mendes]]' ''[[Spectre (2015 film)|Spectre]]'' (2015). Bellucci was initially skeptical about Mendes' project but he argued casting a mature woman in a James Bond film would be innovative.<ref>{{cite news |last=Child |first=Ben |date=23 February 2015 |title=Monica Bellucci on joining Spectre: 'I thought I was replacing Judi Dench' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/feb/23/monica-bellucci-judi-dench-bond-film-spectre |url-status=live |language=en-GB |newspaper=The Guardian |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003162428/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/feb/23/monica-bellucci-judi-dench-bond-film-spectre |archive-date=3 October 2022 |access-date=1 April 2023}}</ref> Bellucci felt gratified to have been the first to portray a role she defined as a "James Bond lady".<ref name="Narbonne2017"/> ''Spectre'' was released to mixed reviews from critics though the British press responded more positively.<ref>{{cite news |last=Heilpern |first=Will |date=22 October 2015 |title=Is the new James Bond movie, 'Spectre', worth watching? The critics say yes |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2015/10/22/entertainment/james-bond-spectre-reviews/index.html |url-status=live |work=CNN International |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006040637/https://edition.cnn.com/2015/10/22/entertainment/james-bond-spectre-reviews/index.html |archive-date=6 October 2022 |access-date=17 February 2024}}</ref> The film grossed $880&nbsp;million worldwide against a $250–300&nbsp;million production budget.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=McNary |first=Dave |author-link=Dave McNary |date=24 March 2016 |title='Spectre' Lifts MGM Earnings by 62% |url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/spectre-mgm-earnings-james-bond-1201738434/ |url-status=live |magazine=Variety |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240217142913/https://variety.com/2016/film/news/spectre-mgm-earnings-james-bond-1201738434/ |archive-date=17 February 2024 |access-date=17 February 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Turan |first=Kenneth |author-link=Kenneth Turan |date=4 November 2015 |title=Review: The 'Spectre' of burnout hovers over latest Bond film |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-spectre-review-20151105-column.html |url-status=live |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230725125819/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-spectre-review-20151105-column.html |archive-date=25 July 2023 |access-date=17 February 2024}}</ref> Guy Lodge of ''Variety'' called Bellucci "[o]ne of the most restlessly globe-trotting stars in world cinema" who does not want national borders or age brackets to dictate her filmography.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Lodge |first=Guy |date=9 May 2016 |title=Miami: Monica Bellucci on 'Ville-Marie', Kusturica's Latest and Defying Ageism |url=https://variety.com/2016/film/festivals/miami-monica-bellucci-on-ville-marie-kusturicas-latest-and-defying-ageism-1201726613/ |url-status=live |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230415130138/https://variety.com/2016/film/festivals/miami-monica-bellucci-on-ville-marie-kusturicas-latest-and-defying-ageism-1201726613/ |archive-date=15 April 2023 |access-date=15 April 2023}}</ref> In 2016, Bellucci had a guest role in the third season of the American comedy-drama [[streaming television]] series ''[[Mozart in the Jungle]]'', an adaptation of [[Blair Tindall]]'s memoir ''Mozart in the Jungle: Sex, Drugs, and Classical Music'', portraying Alessandra, an opera singer and latest collaborator of New York symphony orchestra conductor] Rodrigo ([[Gael García Bernal]]).<ref>{{cite news |last=Rampton |first=James |date=8 December 2016 |title=Mozart In the Jungle: The fact that Placido Domingo and Monica Bellucci have agreed to appear underscores the show's global popularity |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/features/mozart-in-the-jungle-placido-domingo-maria-belluci-gael-garcia-bernal-new-york-symphony-orchestra-a7462716.html |url-status=live |language=en-GB |newspaper=[[The Independent]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102131558/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/features/mozart-in-the-jungle-placido-domingo-maria-belluci-gael-garcia-bernal-new-york-symphony-orchestra-a7462716.html |archive-date=2 November 2021 |access-date=21 October 2023}}</ref> ''Variety''{{'}}s Nick Vivarelli called Bellucci the "Italian actress with international star power".<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Vivarelli |first=Nick |date=3 June 2016 |title=Monica Bellucci to Guest Star on 'Mozart in the Jungle' Season 3 |url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/global/monica-bellucci-to-guest-star-in-mozart-in-the-jungle-1201788193/ |url-status=live |magazine=Variety |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405202823/https://variety.com/2016/tv/global/monica-bellucci-to-guest-star-in-mozart-in-the-jungle-1201788193/ |archive-date=5 April 2023 |access-date=5 April 2023}}</ref>

Bellucci portrayed Nevesta in the film ''[[On the Milky Road]]'' (2016),<ref name="Bouttier2017">{{cite magazine |last=Bouttier |first=Louise-Camille |date=18 May 2017 |title=Emir Kusturica s'allie à la vestale Bellucci |trans-title=Emir Kusturica joins forces with the Vestal Bellucci |url=https://www.rollingstone.fr/emir-kusturica-sallie-a-la-vestale-bellucci/ |url-status=live |language=fr |magazine=Rolling Stone |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613191948/https://www.rollingstone.fr/emir-kusturica-sallie-a-la-vestale-bellucci/ |archive-date=13 June 2023 |access-date=16 June 2023}}</ref> a romance that is set during the 1990s [[Bosnian War]] and whose lead role was played by the film's director [[Emir Kusturica]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Bradshaw |first=Peter |author-link=Peter Bradshaw |date=14 October 2016 |title=On the Milky Road review – booze, bears and illicit affairs in wartime Bosnia |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/oct/14/on-the-milky-road-review-emir-kusturica-monica-bellucci |url-status=live |language=en-GB |newspaper=The Guardian |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221127070440/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/oct/14/on-the-milky-road-review-emir-kusturica-monica-bellucci |archive-date=27 November 2022 |access-date=19 September 2023}}</ref> Bellucci said: "I decided to be an actress, not a politician, I recount political choices through my artistic choices."<ref name="Bouttier2017"/> Kusturica asked Bellucci to learn her dialogue in the [[Serbian language|Serbian]] language.<ref>{{cite news |last=Aftab |first=Kaleem |date=23 September 2016 |title=Monica Bellucci interview: 'Love and sexuality is a matter of energy not age' |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/monica-bellucci-interview-love-and-sexuality-is-a-matter-of-energy-not-age-a7325181.html |url-status=live |language=en-GB |newspaper=The Independent |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230401212336/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/monica-bellucci-interview-love-and-sexuality-is-a-matter-of-energy-not-age-a7325181.html |archive-date=1 April 2023 |access-date=1 April 2023}}</ref> She had to adapt to challenging production conditions in a "land of beauty and violence"; Kusturica suffered "great [mental] pain" during filming, which spanned four summers.<ref name="Narbonne2017"/> ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]''{{'}}s Neil Young said the [[Golden Lion]]-nominated film's approach lacks nuance while Bellucci performed "admirably well" and kept her "dignity intact" in a physically demanding role.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Young |first=Neil |date=9 September 2016 |title='On the Milky Road' ('Na Mlijecnom Putu'): Film Review {{!}} Venice 2016 |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/on-the-milky-road-na-mlijecnom-putu-926203/ |url-status=live |magazine=The Hollywood Reporter |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230401195350/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/on-the-milky-road-na-mlijecnom-putu-926203/ |archive-date=1 April 2023 |access-date=1 April 2023}}</ref> Her performance in the film earned her the [[Nastro d'Argento|Nastro d'Argento europeo]] (European Silver Ribbon Award), which was held on 1 July 2017 at the [[ancient theatre of Taormina]] in Sicily.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Corsi |first=Margherita |date=6 June 2017 |title=Nastri d'Argento 2017: sfida tra Amelio, Castellitto e De Angelis |trans-title=Nastro d'Argento 2017: challenge between Amelio, Castellitto and De Angelis |url=https://www.vanityfair.it/show/cinema/2017/06/06/nastri-dargento-candidati-fortunata-indivisibili |url-status=live |language=it |magazine=Vanity Fair |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230401231329/https://www.vanityfair.it/show/cinema/2017/06/06/nastri-dargento-candidati-fortunata-indivisibili |archive-date=1 April 2023 |access-date=16 September 2023}}</ref> In 2017, Bellucci appeared in the [[Twin Peaks (season 3)|third season]] of [[Mark Frost]] and [[David Lynch]]'s television series ''[[Twin Peaks]]''.<ref>{{cite news |last=Quinn |first=Ben |date=25 April 2016 |title=Twin Peaks revival to feature Monica Bellucci and David Duchovny |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2016/apr/25/twin-peaks-revival-cast-monica-bellucci-david-duchovny |url-status=live |language=en-GB |newspaper=The Guardian |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230402140559/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2016/apr/25/twin-peaks-revival-cast-monica-bellucci-david-duchovny |archive-date=2 April 2023 |access-date=2 April 2023}}</ref> The same year, Bellucci received the honorary [[Donostia Award]] at the [[San Sebastián International Film Festival]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Mayorga |first=Emilio |date=8 September 2017 |title=Monica Bellucci, Agnès Varda to Receive Donostia Awards at San Sebastián |url=https://variety.com/2017/film/news/san-sebastian-monica-bellucci-agnes-varda-san-sebastian-1202551546/ |url-status=live |magazine=Variety |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180219124936/https://variety.com/2017/film/news/san-sebastian-monica-bellucci-agnes-varda-san-sebastian-1202551546/ |archive-date=19 February 2018 |access-date=2 April 2023}}</ref>

===2018–present: Recent career===
[[File:Monica Bellucci Prix Lumières 2018.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|alt=Bellucci wearing a red sequin dress|Bellucci in 2018]]

In 2018, Bellucci had a leading role in the Australian comedy science-fiction horror film ''[[Nekrotronic]]'', playing a [[Necromancy|necromancer]] and demonic soul-eater. In his appraisal of the film, Stephen Dalton of ''The Hollywood Reporter'' said Bellucci portrayed her "diva" character through an "operatic camp-vamp" performance but that her acting style would be best suited to films by [[Tim Burton]] and [[Guillermo del Toro]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Dalton |first=Stephen |date=28 September 2018 |title='Nekrotronic': Film Review |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/nekrotronic-review-1148025/ |url-status=live |magazine=The Hollywood Reporter |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220324171156/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/nekrotronic-review-1148025/ |archive-date=24 March 2022 |access-date=18 February 2024}}</ref> Also in 2018, Bellucci appeared in the third season of the [[France 2]] comedy television series {{lang|fr|Dix pour cent}} (Ten Percent),<!-- lit. 'Ten Percent', not to be confused with the British version, Ten Percent (TV series). --> playing herself with self-mockery.<ref>{{cite news |last=Dufour |first=Nicolas |date=28 October 2018 |title='Dix pour cent' est déjà une institution française |trans-title='Ten percent' is already a French institution |url=https://www.letemps.ch/culture/ecrans/dix-cent-deja-une-institution-francaise |url-status=live |language=fr |newspaper=[[Le Temps]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230817095432/https://www.letemps.ch/culture/ecrans/dix-cent-deja-une-institution-francaise |archive-date=17 August 2023 |access-date=3 March 2024}}</ref> The well-received show was initially renamed ''[[Call My Agent!]]'' after its [[Netflix]] purchase.<ref>{{cite news |last=Jones |first=Ralph |date=26 April 2022 |title=The French TV series that stormed the world |url=https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20220426-ten-percent-is-the-british-call-my-agent-remake-a-hit |url-status=live |language=en-GB |work=BBC Online |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240303151252/https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20220426-ten-percent-is-the-british-call-my-agent-remake-a-hit |archive-date=3 March 2024 |access-date=8 March 2024}}</ref> In [[Claude Lelouch]]'s film ''[[The Best Years of a Life]]'' (2019), which is set in [[Normandy]], Bellucci had a cameo role as Elena, the daughter of Jean-Louis Duroc ([[Jean-Louis Trintignant]]).<ref>{{cite news |last=Fabre |first=Clarisse |date=19 May 2019 |title=Festival de Cannes 2019: Anouk Aimée et Jean-Louis Trintignant font fondre la Croisette sous une pluie de nostalgie |trans-title=Cannes Film Festival 2019: Anouk Aimée and Jean-Louis Trintignant melt the Croisette under a rain of nostalgia |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/culture/article/2019/05/19/festival-de-cannes-2019-anouk-aime-et-jean-louis-trintignant-font-fondre-la-croisette-sous-une-pluie-de-nostalgie_5464122_3246.html |url-status=live |language=fr |newspaper=Le Monde |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230402145702/https://www.lemonde.fr/culture/article/2019/05/19/festival-de-cannes-2019-anouk-aime-et-jean-louis-trintignant-font-fondre-la-croisette-sous-une-pluie-de-nostalgie_5464122_3246.html |archive-date=2 April 2023 |access-date=21 October 2023 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> The film garnered positive critical responses.<ref>Critical response to ''The Best Years of a Life'':
* {{cite magazine |last=Dalton |first=Stephen |date=18 May 2019 |title='The Best Years of a Life' ('Les plus belles annees d'une vie'): Film Review {{!}} Cannes 2019 |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/best-years-a-life-review-1212036/ |url-status=live |magazine=The Hollywood Reporter |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230402153030/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/best-years-a-life-review-1212036/ |archive-date=2 April 2023 |access-date=2 April 2023}}
* {{cite magazine |last=Lodge |first=Guy |date=31 May 2019 |title=Cannes Film Review: 'The Best Years of a Life' |url=https://variety.com/2019/film/reviews/the-best-years-of-a-life-review-1203222092/ |url-status=live |magazine=Variety |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230402153504/https://variety.com/2019/film/reviews/the-best-years-of-a-life-review-1203222092/ |archive-date=2 April 2023 |access-date=2 April 2023}}</ref>

Following his documentary film ''[[Maria by Callas]]'' (2017), writer and director Tom Volf proposed to Bellucci his project based on his book {{lang|fr|Maria Callas: Lettres & Mémoires}}, which includes the writings of opera singer [[Maria Callas]].<ref name="Vincentelli2023">{{cite news |last=Vincentelli |first=Elisabeth |date=25 January 2023 |title=Monica Bellucci Tries on the Dress, and Life, of Maria Callas |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/25/arts/music/monica-bellucci-maria-callas.html |url-status=live |newspaper=The New York Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125150930/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/25/arts/music/monica-bellucci-maria-callas.html |archive-date=25 January 2023 |access-date=4 March 2024 |url-access=limited}}</ref> Following the film, Bellucci made her theatrical debut at the [[Théâtre Marigny|Marigny Theatre]] in Paris held from 27 November to 6 December 2019 in ''[[List of Monica Bellucci performances#Theatre|Maria Callas: Letters and Memoirs]]'', a one-woman show Volf directed. In the show, Bellucci recited letters alone on stage and wore two dresses that had belonged to Callas.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=27 November 2019 |title=Monica Bellucci fait revivre Maria Callas |trans-title=Monica Bellucci revives Maria Callas |url=https://www.vanityfair.fr/actualites/articles/au-theatre-marigny-monica-bellucci-fait-revivre-maria-callas/78057 |url-status=live |language=fr |magazine=Vanity Fair |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230408161351/https://www.vanityfair.fr/actualites/articles/au-theatre-marigny-monica-bellucci-fait-revivre-maria-callas/78057 |archive-date=8 April 2023 |access-date=8 April 2023}}</ref> Bellucci has intermittently performed the show over a number of years.<ref name="Vincentelli2023"/> ''Maria Callas: Letters and Memoirs'' visited European theatres, including [[Venice]]'s [[Teatro Goldoni (Venice)|Teatro Goldoni]] and [[Athens]]'s [[Odeon of Herodes Atticus]], with an orchestra that attracted 4,000 people each night.<ref name="Carrière2022"/> In 2020, Bellucci starred as Soraya in the Oscar-nominated film ''[[The Man Who Sold His Skin]]'', which [[Kaouther Ben Hania]] directed. ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' film critic [[Stephanie Zacharek]] said Soraya, a "frosty, willowy blond", is acted by "a deviously silky-smooth Monica Bellucci".<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Zacharek |first=Stephanie |author-link=Stephanie Zacharek |date=9 April 2021 |title=In the Oscar-Nominated The Man Who Sold His Skin, a Refugee Stakes His Future on a Tattoo |url=https://time.com/5953139/the-man-who-sold-his-skin-review/ |url-status=live |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230817143035/https://time.com/5953139/the-man-who-sold-his-skin-review/ |archive-date=17 August 2023 |access-date=17 August 2023}}</ref>

In 2021, at the [[66th David di Donatello]] ceremony, Bellucci received a [[David di Donatello|David Special Award]] for her career achievements.<ref name="Stampa21-05-06">{{cite news |date=6 May 2021 |title=A Monica Bellucci il David Speciale 2021: 'Carismatica, cosmopolita e profondamente italiana' |trans-title=To Monica Bellucci the David Speciale 2021: 'Charismatic, cosmopolitan and deeply Italian |url=https://www.lastampa.it/spettacoli/cinema/2021/05/06/news/a-monica-bellucci-il-david-speciale-2021-carismatica-cosmopolita-e-profondamente-italiana-1.40239953/ |url-status=live |language=it |newspaper=[[La Stampa]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605163231/https://www.lastampa.it/spettacoli/cinema/2021/05/06/news/a-monica-bellucci-il-david-speciale-2021-carismatica-cosmopolita-e-profondamente-italiana-1.40239953/ |archive-date=5 June 2023 |access-date=5 June 2023}}</ref> She co-starred as part of an [[ensemble cast]] including [[Liam Neeson]] and [[Guy Pearce]] in [[Martin Campbell]]'s action thriller ''[[Memory (2022 film)|Memory]]'' (2022), in which she played Davana Sealman, an unscrupulous real-estate magnate.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Jackson |first=Angelique |date=14 April 2021 |title=Guy Pearce, Monica Bellucci Join Liam Neeson in Action Thriller 'Memory' |url=https://variety.com/2021/film/news/liam-neeson-memory-guy-pearce-monica-belluci-1234951494/ |url-status=live |magazine=Variety |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231022135709/https://variety.com/2021/film/news/liam-neeson-memory-guy-pearce-monica-belluci-1234951494/ |archive-date=22 October 2023 |access-date=22 October 2023}}</ref> She was initially interested in the duality of the antagonist's persona she would play and wanted to avoid [[typecasting]] based on her physical appearance, which she had experienced in the past.<ref>{{cite news |last=Sim |first=Jonathan |date=9 May 2022 |title=Interview: Monica Bellucci Discusses Memory, Choosing Her Roles |url=https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/features/1221110-monica-bellucci-memory-interview |url-status=live |work=[[Mandatory (company)|ComingSoon]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240102165259/https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/features/1221110-monica-bellucci-memory-interview |archive-date=2 January 2024 |access-date=1 February 2024}}</ref> According to ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' critic Leah Greenblatt ''Memory'' is "wrapped in leaden dialogue and B-movie cliché" and Bellucci appears "blasé".<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Greenblatt |first=Leah |date=29 April 2022 |title=Musts & Misses: We don't Love That for you, and Liam Neeson's Memory is fading |url=https://ew.com/tv/tv-reviews/i-love-that-for-you-vanessa-bayer-memory-liam-neeson/ |url-status=live |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230817195140/https://ew.com/tv/tv-reviews/painkiller-review-netflix-matthew-broderick-uzo-aduba/ |archive-date=17 August 2023 |access-date=17 August 2023}}</ref> In 2022, Bellucci performed ''Maria Callas: Letters and Memoirs'' at [[Her Majesty's Theatre]] in London,<ref>{{cite news |last=Akbar |first=Arifa |date=25 April 2022 |title=Maria Callas: Letters and Memoirs review – Monica Bellucci's homage to a superstar |url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2022/apr/25/maria-callas-letters-and-memoirs-review-monica-bellucci |url-status=live |language=en-GB |newspaper=The Guardian |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20221215203927/https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2022/apr/25/maria-callas-letters-and-memoirs-review-monica-bellucci |archive-date=15 December 2022 |access-date=2 March 2024}}</ref> [[Théâtre du Châtelet|Chatelet Theatre]] in Paris, and at venues in [[Istanbul]] and Los Angeles.<ref name="Carrière2022"/>

In January 2023, at 58, Bellucci performed the play at the [[Beacon Theatre (New York City)|Beacon Theatre]] in New York City.<ref name="Vincentelli2023"/> In 2023, recalling ''Irréversible'', Bellucci told ''The New York Times'' her "days of acting in transgressive movies are behind her" because she is a mother.<ref name="Loayza2023"/> In 2023, Bellucci entered talks to star in ''[[Beetlejuice Beetlejuice]]'' as Delores, Betelgeuse's ex-wife and the movie's villain.<ref name="Kit2023">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/monica-bellucci-beetlejuice-2-1235484497/ |title='Beetlejuice 2': Monica Bellucci Joins Jenna Ortega, Michael Keaton (Exclusive) |date=11 May 2023 |access-date=11 May 2023 |first=Borys |last=Kit |magazine=The Hollywood Reporter |archive-date=11 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230511181302/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/monica-bellucci-beetlejuice-2-1235484497/ |url-status=live}}</ref> She won the Nastro d'Argento Award for Protagonist of the Year in Documentaries 2024 for her interpretation of Callas in ''Letters and Memoirs''.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Aricò |first=Giacomo |date=23 February 2024 |title=Monica Bellucci vince il Nastro d'Argento per l'interpretazione di Maria Callas: 'Profondamente grata' |trans-title=Monica Bellucci wins the Nastro d'Argento for her interpretation of Maria Callas: 'Deeply grateful' |url=https://www.vogue.it/news/article/monica-bellucci-maria-callas-nastro-dargento |url-status=live |language=it |magazine=Vogue Italia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240301170808/https://www.vogue.it/news/article/monica-bellucci-maria-callas-nastro-dargento |archive-date=1 March 2024 |access-date=4 March 2024}}</ref>

==Other activities==
===Film industries===
Bellucci was [[Master of ceremonies|mistress of ceremonies]] at the [[2003 Cannes Film Festival|56th Cannes Film Festival]], presiding over the opening and closing ceremonies that were held on the [[Promenade de la Croisette]] from 14 to 25 May 2003.<ref name="VanEgmond2017"/><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Klaussmann |first=Liza |date=13 April 2003 |title='Fanfan', Bellucci to open Cannes fest |url=https://variety.com/2003/film/news/fanfan-bellucci-to-open-cannes-fest-1117884568/ |url-status=live |magazine=Variety |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216043640/https://variety.com/2003/film/news/fanfan-bellucci-to-open-cannes-fest-1117884568/ |archive-date=16 February 2022 |access-date=12 February 2023}}</ref> From 17 to 28 May 2006, she was a jury member at the [[2006 Cannes Film Festival|59th Cannes Film Festival]].<ref>{{cite news |date=20 April 2006 |title=Monica Bellucci, Patrice Leconte et Samuel L. Jackson parmi les jurés |trans-title=Monica Bellucci, Patrice Leconte and Samuel L. Jackson among the juries |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/cinema/article/2006/04/20/monica-bellucci-et-patrice-leconte-parmi-les-jures_763826_3476.html |url-status=live |language=fr |newspaper=[[Le Monde]] |agency=Agence France-Presse |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414053909/https://www.lemonde.fr/cinema/article/2006/04/20/monica-bellucci-et-patrice-leconte-parmi-les-jures_763826_3476.html |archive-date=14 April 2021 |access-date=12 February 2023}}</ref> In 2009, alongside filmmakers from Europe and the US, and 70 other industry names, Bellucci signed a petition to support film director [[Roman Polanski]], who had been arrested in connection with his [[Roman Polanski sexual abuse case|1977 sexual abuse charges]] while on his way to [[Zurich Film Festival]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Shoard |first=Catherine |date=29 September 2009 |title=Release Polanski, demands petition by film industry luminaries |url-status=live |language=en-GB |newspaper=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2009/sep/29/roman-polanski-petition |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190628013652/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2009/sep/29/roman-polanski-petition |archive-date=28 June 2019 |access-date=11 June 2023}}</ref> Bellucci was also master of ceremonies at the [[2017 Cannes Film Festival|70th Cannes Film Festival]], which took place from 17 to 28 May, where she was in charge of opening and closing one of the major international film events.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Richford |first=Rhonda |date=20 March 2017 |title=Cannes: Monica Bellucci Named Master of Ceremonies |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/cannes-monica-bellucci-named-master-ceremonies-987398/ |url-status=live |magazine=The Hollywood Reporter |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004051730/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/cannes-monica-bellucci-named-master-ceremonies-987398/ |archive-date=4 October 2022 |access-date=13 February 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=20 March 2017 |title=70e Festival de Cannes: Monica Bellucci en maîtresse de cérémonie |trans-title=70th Cannes Film Festival: Monica Bellucci as mistress of ceremonies |url=https://www.lefigaro.fr/cinema/2017/03/20/03002-20170320ARTFIG00278-70e-festival-de-cannes-monica-bellucci-en-maitresse-de-ceremonie.php |url-status=live |language=fr |newspaper=[[Le Figaro]] |agency=Agence France-Presse |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414065123/https://www.lefigaro.fr/cinema/2017/03/20/03002-20170320ARTFIG00278-70e-festival-de-cannes-monica-bellucci-en-maitresse-de-ceremonie.php |archive-date=14 April 2021 |access-date=12 February 2023}}</ref>

In 2017, the [[Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences]] invited Bellucci to become a permanent member representing Italy, becoming one of the voting jurors who award the annual [[Academy Awards]] (Oscars).<ref name="Stampa21-05-06"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Gallo |first=Di Francesco |date=6 May 2021 |title=David speciale alla Bellucci icona bellezza italiana |trans-title=David Special to Italian beauty icon Bellucci |url=https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/cultura/2021/05/06/david-speciale-alla-bellucci-icona-bellezza-italiana_341dbef7-c5c1-49c9-9b6e-d1af0ae268cb.html |url-status=live |language=it |work=[[Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506195424/https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/cultura/2021/05/06/david-speciale-alla-bellucci-icona-bellezza-italiana_341dbef7-c5c1-49c9-9b6e-d1af0ae268cb.html |archive-date=6 May 2021 |access-date=5 February 2023}}</ref> From 26 to 30 September 2018, Bellucci chaired the judging panel of the 29th [[Dinard]] British Film Festival.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Grandgeorge |first=Maxime |date=31 August 2018 |title=Le Festival de Dinard dévoile sa programmation |trans-title=The Dinard Festival unveils its program |url=https://www.premiere.fr/Cinema/Le-Festival-de-Dinard-devoile-sa-programmation |url-status=live |language=fr |magazine=Première |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240303160000/https://www.premiere.fr/Cinema/Le-Festival-de-Dinard-devoile-sa-programmation |archive-date=3 March 2024 |access-date=3 March 2024}}</ref> Bellucci was due to be chairwoman of the 15th [[Globe de Cristal Awards|Crystal Globe Awards]], which was scheduled for 14 March 2020 at the [[Salle Wagram|Wagram auditorium]] in Paris,<ref>{{cite news |date=10 January 2020 |title=Monica Bellucci, présidente d'honneur des prochains Globes de cristal |trans-title=Monica Bellucci, honorary chairwoman of the Crystal Globes |url=https://www.lefigaro.fr/cinema/monica-bellucci-presidente-d-honneur-des-prochains-globes-de-cristal-20200110 |url-status=live |language=fr |newspaper=Le Figaro |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230319133606/https://www.lefigaro.fr/cinema/monica-bellucci-presidente-d-honneur-des-prochains-globes-de-cristal-20200110 |archive-date=19 March 2023 |access-date=19 March 2023}}</ref> but the ceremony was cancelled due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in France|COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{cite magazine |date=13 March 2020 |title=Coronavirus: les sorties de 'Mulan' et 'Sans un bruit 2' reportées |trans-title=Coronavirus: the releases of 'Mulan' and 'A Quiet Place 2' postponed |url=https://www.lesinrocks.com/cinema/coronavirus-mulan-et-sans-un-bruit-2-reportes-146226-13-03-2020/ |url-status=live |language=fr |magazine=Les Inrockuptibles |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230827144440/https://www.lesinrocks.com/cinema/coronavirus-mulan-et-sans-un-bruit-2-reportes-146226-13-03-2020/ |archive-date=27 August 2023 |access-date=27 August 2023}}</ref>

===Charities and patronages===
In 2008, Bellucci supported a fundraising campaign for a centre for [[Childhood cancer|children with cancer]] located in [[Prima Porta]], Italy. The campaign was initiated by the {{lang|it|Associazione Genitori Oncologia Pediatrica}} (AGOP) (Association of Parents in Pediatric Oncology).<ref>{{cite news |date=2 December 2008 |title=Monica per i bimbi malati |trans-title=Monica for sick children |url=https://www.corriere.it/foto_del_giorno/home/08_dicembre_02/monica_fc146e8a-c083-11dd-a787-00144f02aabc.shtml?p |url-status=live |language=it |newspaper=[[Corriere della Sera]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230713161606/https://www.corriere.it/foto_del_giorno/home/08_dicembre_02/monica_fc146e8a-c083-11dd-a787-00144f02aabc.shtml?p |archive-date=13 July 2023 |access-date=13 July 2023}}</ref> In 2010, Bellucci became patron of {{lang|fr|Paroles de Femmes}} (Words of Women), an apolitical, secular French association promoting equality between men and women in society. In March 2010, she organised the {{lang|fr|Nuit des Femmes}} (Women's Night), an assemblage of female politicians, researchers, doctors, lawyers, writers, painters, and business leaders, to assess the progression of women's rights in France. The funds raised went towards the building of centres of accommodation, reintegration and support for single mothers in precarious situations.<!-- General reference. --><ref>{{cite magazine |year=2010 |title=Monica Bellucci, marraine de l'association Paroles de Femmes |trans-title=Monica Bellucci, patron of the Words of Women association |url=https://www.elle.fr/Societe/La-parole-aux-femmes/A-vous-de-le-dire/Monica-Bellucci-marraine-de-l-association-Paroles-de-Femmes-1172121 |url-status=live |language=fr |magazine=[[Elle (magazine)|Elle]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230126230632/https://www.elle.fr/Societe/La-parole-aux-femmes/A-vous-de-le-dire/Monica-Bellucci-marraine-de-l-association-Paroles-de-Femmes-1172121 |archive-date=26 January 2023 |access-date=20 May 2023}}</ref> In 2010, [[Rizzoli Libri|Rizzoli]] and {{lang|fr|[[La Martinière Groupe]]}} published a book prefaced by Tornatore that described Bellucci's modelling and acting careers through photographs taken by [[Peter Lindbergh]] and [[Helmut Newton]]. All proceeds from the book's sales were donated to AGOP and Words of Women.<ref>{{cite news |date=26 October 2010 |title=La Bellucci celebra la sua bellezza in un libro fotografico: in cui appare senza veli |trans-title=Bellucci celebrates her beauty in a photographic book: in which she appears without veils |url=https://www.corriere.it/spettacoli/10_ottobre_26/bellucci-libro-vanity-fair_113d89fe-e0fd-11df-b5a9-00144f02aabc.shtml |url-status=live |language=it |newspaper=Corriere della Sera |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230827150215/https://www.corriere.it/spettacoli/10_ottobre_26/bellucci-libro-vanity-fair_113d89fe-e0fd-11df-b5a9-00144f02aabc.shtml |archive-date=27 August 2023 |access-date=27 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Busnel |first=François |date=9 November 2010 |title=Monica Bellucci |url=https://www.radiofrance.fr/franceinter/podcasts/le-grand-entretien/monica-bellucci-3166945 |url-status=live |language=fr |work=[[France Inter]] |series=The great Busnel interview (transcriptions) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230519163833/https://www.radiofrance.fr/franceinter/podcasts/le-grand-entretien/monica-bellucci-3166945 |archive-date=19 May 2023 |access-date=27 August 2023 |type=Podcast}}</ref> She donated €10,000 to the City of [[Cannes]] to fund a solidarity campaign to support recovery efforts following the deadly floods of October 2015 in the [[Alpes-Maritimes]] region.<ref>{{cite news |last=Daniel |first=Gilles |date=24 February 2016 |title=Inondations à Cannes: au fait, les stars de cinéma ont-elle répondu au SOS de la mairie? |trans-title=Floods in Cannes: by the way, did the film stars respond to the town hall's SOS? |url=https://www.tf1info.fr/societe/inondations-a-cannes-au-fait-les-stars-de-cinema-ont-elle-repondu-au-sos-de-la-mairie-1504520.html |url-status=live |language=fr |work=[[TF1 Group|TF1 Info]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240209160806/https://www.tf1info.fr/societe/inondations-a-cannes-au-fait-les-stars-de-cinema-ont-elle-repondu-au-sos-de-la-mairie-1504520.html |archive-date=9 February 2024 |access-date=9 February 2024}}</ref> Bellucci is also a patron of the association SOS Autism France.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Fontana |first=Céline |date=29 November 2018 |title=Arnaud Ducret soutient SOS Autisme: 'Les enfants me tiennent à coeur' |trans-title=Arnaud Ducret supports SOS Autism: 'Children are close to my heart' |url=https://tvmag.lefigaro.fr/programme-tv/arnaud-ducret-soutient-sos-autisme-les-enfants-me-tiennent-a-coeur-_9e937ec4-f320-11e8-82ed-cd2766bf3192 |url-status=live |language=fr |magazine=[[TV Magazine]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230422014414/https://tvmag.lefigaro.fr/programme-tv/arnaud-ducret-soutient-sos-autisme-les-enfants-me-tiennent-a-coeur-_9e937ec4-f320-11e8-82ed-cd2766bf3192 |archive-date=22 April 2023 |access-date=19 May 2023 |via=Le Figaro}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=30 August 2021 |title=Monsieur je-sais-tout (France 3) − Arnaud Ducret: 'Je ne suis pas juste un prof de sport qui fait rire |trans-title=Mr. know-it-all (France 3) − Arnaud Ducret: 'I'm not just a sports teacher who makes you laugh' |url=https://fr.news.yahoo.com/monsieur-sais-france-3-arnaud-154112496.html |url-status=live |language=fr |work=[[Yahoo! News]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240223200824/https://fr.news.yahoo.com/monsieur-sais-france-3-arnaud-154112496.html?guccounter=1 |archive-date=23 February 2024 |access-date=23 February 2024}}</ref>

===Foreign relations of Italy===
According to ''[[Corriere della Sera]]''{{'}}s Stefano Montefiori, Bellucci is regarded as a sort of ambassador of Italy to the French population.<ref name="Montefiori2022">{{cite news |last=Montefiori |first=Stefano |date=29 September 2022 |title=Monica Bellucci: 'Io diva? Faccio la spesa e porto i figli a scuola. È vero, gli uomini francesi sono più freddini degli italiani' |trans-title=Monica Bellucci: 'Me diva? I do grocery shopping and take my children to school. It's true, the French are colder than Italians' |url=https://www.corriere.it/cronache/22_settembre_29/monica-bellucci-intervista-8d459bc2-3f6e-11ed-b6e3-34338f1c69a0.shtml |url-status=live |language=it |newspaper=Corriere della Sera |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230815092828/https://www.corriere.it/cronache/22_settembre_29/monica-bellucci-intervista-8d459bc2-3f6e-11ed-b6e3-34338f1c69a0.shtml |archive-date=15 August 2023 |access-date=16 February 2024 |quote=''Qui è considerata un'ambasciatrice del nostro Paese''&nbsp;... ''L'amore per Parigi non significa per forza prendere la nazionalità francese—'No, ho ancora il passaporto italiano' '' |trans-quote=Here she is considered an ambassador of our country&nbsp;... Love for Paris does not necessarily mean taking French nationality—'No, I still have an Italian passport'}}</ref> She has been involved in state dinners chaired by the [[President of France]] and organised as part of visits by foreign heads of state. On 21 November 2012, Bellucci attended a state dinner French President [[François Hollande]] hosted at the [[Elysée Palace]] in Paris during the visit of [[President of Italy]] [[Giorgio Napolitano]] and his ministers.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=22 November 2012 |title=Diner d'Etat à l'Elysée pour le président italien |trans-title=State dinner at the Elysée for the Italian president |url=https://www.parismatch.com/Actu/Politique/Diner-d-Etat-a-l-Elysee-pour-le-president-italien-451652 |url-status=live |language=fr |magazine=[[Paris Match]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230218150232/https://www.parismatch.com/Actu/Politique/Diner-d-Etat-a-l-Elysee-pour-le-president-italien-451652%2315 |archive-date=18 February 2023 |access-date=18 February 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Jacob |first1=Etienne |last2=Le Cain |first2=Blandine |last3=Boudisseau |first3=Julien |date=25 March 2019 |title=Le dîner d'État à l'Elysée, un moment convoité et symbolique |trans-title=The State dinner at the Elysée, a coveted and symbolic moment |url=https://www.lefigaro.fr/international/2019/03/25/01003-20190325ARTFIG00055-le-diner-d-etat-un-moment-convoite-et-symbolique.php |url-status=live |language=fr |newspaper=Le Figaro |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220911222851/https://www.lefigaro.fr/international/2019/03/25/01003-20190325ARTFIG00055-le-diner-d-etat-un-moment-convoite-et-symbolique.php |archive-date=11 September 2022 |access-date=18 February 2023}}</ref> On 5 July 2021, Bellucci was invited to a state dinner hosted by French President [[Emmanuel Macron]] at the Elysée Palace in honour of Italian President [[Sergio Mattarella]] and his daughter [[Laura Mattarella|Laura]].{{efn|Other participants included French ministers, [[LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton]]'s co-founder, chairman and CEO [[Bernard Arnault]], [[Dior]]'s creative director [[Maria Grazia Chiuri]], [[Kering]]'s chairman and CEO [[François-Henri Pinault]], and French actress [[Carole Bouquet]].<ref name="Cabot2021"/>}}<ref name="Cabot2021">{{cite magazine |last=Cabot |first=Emilie |date=6 July 2021 |title=Dîner d'Etat à l'Elysée en l'honneur du président italien avec Monica Bellucci et Carole Bouquet |trans-title=State dinner at the Elysée in honour of the Italian President with Monica Bellucci and Carole Bouquet |url=https://www.parismatch.com/Actu/Politique/Diner-d-Etat-a-l-Elysee-en-l-honneur-du-president-italien-avec-Monica-Bellucci-et-Carole-Bouquet-1746387 |url-status=live |language=fr |magazine=Paris Match |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230218162029/https://www.parismatch.com/Actu/Politique/Diner-d-Etat-a-l-Elysee-en-l-honneur-du-president-italien-avec-Monica-Bellucci-et-Carole-Bouquet-1746387%2322 |archive-date=18 February 2023 |access-date=18 February 2023}}</ref><ref name="Elle2021-07-07">{{cite magazine |date=7 July 2021 |title=Il vestito Dior di Monica Bellucci all'Eliseo è il legame più sublime tra Italia e Francia |trans-title=Monica Bellucci's Dior dress at the Elysée is the most sublime link between Italy and France |url=https://www.elle.com/it/moda/street-style/a36951160/vestito-dior-estate-2021-monica-bellucci/ |url-status=live |language=it |magazine=Elle |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210806155355/https://www.elle.com/it/moda/street-style/a36951160/vestito-dior-estate-2021-monica-bellucci/ |archive-date=6 August 2021 |access-date=18 February 2023 |trans-quote=The actress confirms herself as an eternal style icon}}</ref>

==Public image==
[[File:Monica Bellucci musée Grévin.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7|alt=A photograph of a wax statue|Bellucci's wax figure at [[Musée Grévin|Grévin Museum]], Paris]]

On 23 November 2004, Bellucci pressed the button triggering the Christmas illuminations on the [[Champs-Élysées|Champs-Élysées avenue]] that consisted of {{cvt|45|km|mi}} of electric garlands descending from the [[Place Charles de Gaulle|Place de l'Étoile]] towards [[Place de la Concorde]], in the presence of the [[Deputy mayor|First Deputy Mayor]]<!-- Do not change to "Mayor"--> [[Anne Hidalgo]]. Bellucci was the first-ever foreign public figure invited by the [[Territorial collectivity|City of Paris]] and the {{lang|fr|Champs-Élysées|italic=no}} Committee{{efn|The association, founded in 1916, represents retailers on the Champs-Élysées avenue and includes 180&nbsp;commercial companies.<ref>{{cite news |last=Benarrous |first=Julia |date=10 June 2018 |title=Les Champs-Élysées s'offrent un cinéma géant en plein air cet été |trans-title=The Champs-Élysées offer themselves a giant open-air cinema this summer |url=https://www.lefigaro.fr/cinema/2018/06/10/03002-20180610ARTFIG00027-les-champs-elysees-s8216offrent-un-cinema-geant-en-plein-air-cet-ete.php |url-status=live |language=fr |newspaper=[[Le Figaro]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210804011617/https://www.lefigaro.fr/cinema/2018/06/10/03002-20180610ARTFIG00027-les-champs-elysees-s8216offrent-un-cinema-geant-en-plein-air-cet-ete.php |archive-date=4 August 2021 |access-date=23 February 2024}}</ref>}} to inaugurate this annual celebration.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=3 December 2004 |title=Monica Bellucci illumine les Champs-Elysées |trans-title=Monica Bellucci illuminates the Champs-Elysées |url=https://o.nouvelobs.com/people/20041124.OBS2258/monica-bellucci-illumine-les-champs-elysees.html |url-status=live |language=fr |magazine=Obsession ([[L'Obs]] supplement) |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230902134928/https://o.nouvelobs.com/people/20041124.OBS2258/monica-bellucci-illumine-les-champs-elysees.html |archive-date=2 September 2023 |access-date=13 September 2023 |issn=2259-4760 |via=''L'Obs''}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=28 November 2004 |title=Monica illumine Paris |trans-title=Monica illuminates Paris |url=https://www.dhnet.be/archives-journal/2004/11/29/people-monica-illumine-paris-KTIMTZ5FWZHBPC6OKCXXWBFADQ/ |url-status=live |language=fr |newspaper=[[La Dernière Heure]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230902134027/https://www.dhnet.be/archives-journal/2004/11/29/people-monica-illumine-paris-KTIMTZ5FWZHBPC6OKCXXWBFADQ/ |archive-date=2 September 2023 |access-date=2 September 2023}}</ref> In April 2005, the [[Musée Grévin|Grévin Museum]] in Paris unveiled a wax statue of Bellucci.<ref>{{cite news |last=Deslandes |first=Mathieu |date=25 April 2005 |title=Monica Bellucci fait son entrée au musée Grévin |trans-title=Monica Bellucci makes her entry to the Grévin museum |url=https://www.leparisien.fr/paris-75/monica-bellucci-fait-son-entree-au-musee-grevin-25-04-2005-2005894763.php |url-status=live |language=fr |department=Interview with Grévin Museum's artisans |newspaper=Le Parisien |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240303120915/https://www.leparisien.fr/paris-75/monica-bellucci-fait-son-entree-au-musee-grevin-25-04-2005-2005894763.php |archive-date=3 March 2024 |access-date=3 March 2024}}</ref> According to Blier, Bellucci is "completely relaxed with her image and with her own sense of modesty as well";<ref name="Salisbury2005" /> Blier compared her to [[Ava Gardner]] and "the stars of yesteryear".<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Sirtori |first=Sara |date=28 February 2018 |title=Delevingne, Theron, Bellucci e le altre modelle diventate attrici. Con più o meno successo |trans-title=Delevingne, Theron, Bellucci and other models turned actresses. With more or less success |url=https://www.iodonna.it/personaggi/interviste-gallery/2018/02/28/cara-charlize-monica-modelle-diventate-attrici/ |url-status=live |language=it |magazine=[[IO Donna]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203072032/https://www.iodonna.it/personaggi/interviste-gallery/2018/02/28/cara-charlize-monica-modelle-diventate-attrici/ |archive-date=3 December 2020 |access-date=19 February 2023}}</ref> On 9 May 2008, ''[[L'Obs]]'' reported on a survey of 1,003 people conducted by the [[Conseil supérieur de l'audiovisuel|Superior Audiovisual Council]] as part of [[Europe Day]], where Bellucci was the second-most-popular European personality (excluding France) of the French.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=9 May 2008 |title=Sondage: Schumacher préféré des Français |trans-title=Survey: Schumacher preferred by the French |url=https://www.nouvelobs.com/monde/20080509.OBS3173/sondage-schumacher-prefere-des-francais.html |url-status=live |language=fr |magazine=[[L'Obs]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230902134946/https://www.nouvelobs.com/monde/20080509.OBS3173/sondage-schumacher-prefere-des-francais.html |archive-date=2 September 2023 |access-date=13 February 2023}}</ref>

[[File:Monica Bellucci by Eric Nehr.jpg|thumb|left|alt=A black and white portrait of Bellucci|Bellucci in 2009]]

Christophe Narbonne of ''[[Première (magazine)|Première magazine]]'' wrote: "Behind the advertising muse, the image of the (re)incarnated Italian diva and the globalised sexual icon, we sometimes forget Monica Bellucci the out-of-norm actress, collector of a pile of international cult auteurs".<ref name="Narbonne2017"/> [[De Morgen]] wrote: "most roles fit Bellucci like a glove",<ref>{{cite news |date=12 November 2005 |title=Cocoonen met Monica |trans-title=Cocooning with Monica |url=https://www.demorgen.be/nieuws/cocoonen-met-monica~b8994800/ |url-status=live |language=nl |newspaper=[[De Morgen]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231128180954/https://www.demorgen.be/nieuws/cocoonen-met-monica~b8994800/ |archive-date=28 November 2023 |access-date=3 February 2024 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> while Christophe Carrière of [[L'Express]] said others of "variable geometry" compose her filmography.{{clarify|reason=What does "others of 'variable geometry' compose her filmography" mean?|date=May 2024}}<ref name="Carrière2017">{{cite magazine |last=Carrière |first=Christophe |date=7 May 2017 |title=Monica Bellucci: 'Enfant, je percevais les actrices comme des déesses' |trans-title=Monica Bellucci: 'As a child, I perceived actresses as goddesses' |url=https://www.lexpress.fr/culture/cinema/monica-bellucci-enfant-je-percevais-les-actrices-comme-des-deesses_1905203.html |url-status=live |language=fr |magazine=L'Express |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231111144943/https://www.lexpress.fr/culture/cinema/monica-bellucci-enfant-je-percevais-les-actrices-comme-des-deesses_1905203.html |archive-date=11 November 2023 |access-date=28 January 2024 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> In 2018, Bellucci was included in ''[[Forbes]] Italy''{{'}}s list of "Successful women: the 100 winning Italian women".<ref>{{cite magazine |date=27 March 2018 |title=Donne di successo: le 100 donne italiane vincenti |trans-title=Successful women: the 100 winning Italian women |url=https://forbes.it/2018/03/27/donne-di-successo-le-100-donne-italiane-vincenti/ |url-status=live |language=it |magazine=Forbes |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230814204303/https://forbes.it/2018/03/27/donne-di-successo-le-100-donne-italiane-vincenti/ |archive-date=14 August 2023 |access-date=3 December 2023}}</ref> The press call Bellucci a style icon.<ref name="Elle2021-07-07" /><ref>"style icon":
*{{cite magazine |last=Descombes |first=Apolline |date=13 July 2023 |title=20 times Monica Bellucci was a divine icon at the Cannes Film Festival |url=https://www.vogue.fr/fashion/galerie/monica-bellucci-cannes-film-festival-looks |url-status=live |magazine=[[Vogue France]] |others=Translated by Anissa Agrama |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230218165801/https://www.vogue.fr/fashion/galerie/monica-bellucci-cannes-film-festival-looks |archive-date=18 February 2023 |access-date=18 February 2023}}
*{{cite news |date=23 March 2021 |script-title=ru:Нажать на культ |trans-title=Click on the cult |url=https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/4731048 |url-status=live |language=ru |newspaper=Kommersant |page=28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240223220212/https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/4731048 |archive-date=23 February 2024 |access-date=23 February 2024 |script-quote=ru:Моника Беллуччи стала амбассадором бренда Cartier четверть века назад.&nbsp;... в очередной раз подтвердила свой статус иконы стиля |trans-quote=Monica Bellucci became a Cartier brand ambassador a quarter century ago.&nbsp;... once again confirmed her status style icon}}</ref> Bellucci is associated with the wearing of high-value jewellery and an "unwavering commitment" to Cartier, [[Boucheron]] and [[Chopard]]; Naomi Pike of ''[[British Vogue]]'' referred to her as "A Modern Day [[Liz Taylor]]", and said when dressed in diamonds, "few contemporary Hollywood stars can rival Italian actor Monica Bellucci".<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Pike |first=Naomi |date=10 April 2021 |title=Monica Bellucci's Most Dramatic Jewellery Moments Make Her A Modern Day Liz Taylor |url=https://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/gallery/monica-bellucci-jewellery |url-status=live |language=en-GB |magazine=[[British Vogue]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230507160317/https://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/gallery/monica-bellucci-jewellery |archive-date=7 May 2023 |access-date=25 February 2024}}</ref>

On 10 April 2016, the agency Karin Models, which represented Bellucci, opened an official [[Instagram]] account for her.<ref name=":0">{{cite magazine |date=15 April 2016 |title=Monica Bellucci se dévoile sur son nouveau compte Instagram |trans-title=Monica Bellucci reveals herself on her new Instagram account |url=https://www.vanityfair.fr/actualites/articles/monica-bellucci-se-devoile-sur-son-nouveau-compte-instagram/37388 |url-status=live |language=fr |magazine=Vanity Fair |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230313201051/https://www.vanityfair.fr/actualites/articles/monica-bellucci-se-devoile-sur-son-nouveau-compte-instagram/37388 |archive-date=13 March 2023 |access-date=13 March 2023}}</ref> Instagram censored a photograph Fred Meylan imaged in 2016 showing Bellucci swimming on her back in a pool, and body parts were hidden in yellow pixels.<ref name=":1">{{cite news |date=12 September 2016 |title=Instagram censura atrevida foto de Mónica Bellucci para revista |trans-title=Instagram censors daring photo of Monica Bellucci for magazine |url=https://elcomercio.pe/tvmas/hollywood/instagram-censura-atrevida-foto-monica-bellucci-revista-257695-noticia/ |url-status=live |language=es |newspaper=[[El Comercio (Peru)|El Comercio]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231126173953/https://elcomercio.pe/tvmas/hollywood/instagram-censura-atrevida-foto-monica-bellucci-revista-257695-noticia/ |archive-date=26 November 2023 |access-date=26 November 2023}}</ref>

=== Appearance ===
Bellucci is widely regarded as "the most beautiful woman in the world" and has been cited as a [[sex symbol]]. In 2001, Bellucci was pictured nude with caviar on her breasts on the cover of ''[[Esquire (magazine)|Esquire]]''{{'}}s ''Desire'' issue.{{efn|Many photographs of Bellucci taken by fashion photographer Fabrizio Ferri, notably where she was drizzled with honey, appeared regularly in the two direct competitor magazines, ''[[Esquire (magazine)|Esquire]]'' and ''[[GQ]]''{{'}}s Italian edition.<ref name="Rose2001"/>}}<ref name="Rose2001">{{cite news |last1=Rose |first1=Matthew |author-link1=Matthew Rose (journalist) |last2=Ball |first2=Deborah |date=14 November 2001 |title=Caviar Controversy: Esquire, GQ Use Same Photo on Their Covers |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB1005695762413298600 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230306203701/https://www.wsj.com/amp/articles/SB1005695762413298600 |archive-date=6 March 2023 |access-date=27 May 2023 |newspaper=[[The Wall Street Journal]]}}</ref> In their reviews of Malèna (2000), Thomas wrote in ''Los Angeles Times'' Bellucci "has the impact of the great Italian stars",<ref name="Thomas2000" /> and Paul Tatara of [[CNN International]] called her a "world-class bombshell".<ref>{{cite news |last=Tatara |first=Paul |date=4 January 2001 |title='Malena': Bombshell in a bomb |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2001/SHOWBIZ/Movies/01/04/review.malena/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101121025855/https://edition.cnn.com/2001/SHOWBIZ/Movies/01/04/review.malena/ |archive-date=21 November 2010 |access-date=12 February 2023 |work=CNN International}}</ref> In 2002, [[AskMen]] named her number one on the "Top 99 Most Desirable Women".<ref>{{cite news |last=Schneider |first=Peer |date=17 February 2006 |title=Jessica Alba Tops AskMen's Top 99 Most Desirable Women of 2006 |url=https://corp.ign.com/press/press/2006/jessica-alba-tops-askmens-top-99-most-desirable-women-of-2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231001145839/https://corp.ign.com/press/press/2006/jessica-alba-tops-askmens-top-99-most-desirable-women-of-2006 |archive-date=1 October 2023 |access-date=1 October 2023 |work=[[IGN]]}}</ref><ref name="Alexander2014">{{cite news |last=Alexander |first=Ella |date=5 December 2014 |title=Monica Bellucci: Inside the world of the new Bond woman, not the new Bond girl |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/monica-bellucci-inside-the-world-of-the-bond-girl-italian-siren-and-dolce-and-gabbana-muse-9906994.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220521181255/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/monica-bellucci-inside-the-world-of-the-bond-girl-italian-siren-and-dolce-and-gabbana-muse-9906994.html |archive-date=21 May 2022 |access-date=17 February 2023 |newspaper=[[The Independent]] |language=en-GB}}</ref> Bellucci was included in ''[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]''{{'}}s list of "Sexiest Women".<ref name="Alexander2014" /> In 2003, Chris Campion of ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' stated: {{" '}}La Bellucci' is Italy's national sweetheart and an icon of European cinema".<ref name="Campion2003" /> Bellucci was named the "Most Beautiful Woman in the World"<ref>{{cite news |last=Dupont |first=Joan |date=14 May 2008 |title=Vincent Cassel as France's 'Public Enemy Number One' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/14/arts/14iht-fmcassel.1.12880955.html |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230818124403/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/14/arts/14iht-fmcassel.1.12880955.html |archive-date=18 August 2023 |access-date=2 December 2023 |newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref> in 2004 and 2007 in an [[Ipsos]] survey of 1,002 people in France that was commissioned by [[TF1]].<ref>{{cite news |date=10 November 2004 |title=La plus belle, c'est Monica |trans-title=The most beautiful, is Monica |url=https://www.leparisien.fr/culture-loisirs/la-plus-belle-c-est-monica-10-11-2004-2005443784.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240324131032/https://www.leparisien.fr/culture-loisirs/la-plus-belle-c-est-monica-10-11-2004-2005443784.php |archive-date=24 March 2024 |access-date=24 March 2024 |newspaper=Le Parisien |language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=C.P. |date=4 June 2010 |title=La plus belle femme du monde est... |trans-title=The most beautiful woman in the world is... |url=https://www.20minutes.fr/medias/575597-20100604-plus-belle-femme-monde-est |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230305155600/https://www.20minutes.fr/medias/575597-20100604-plus-belle-femme-monde-est |archive-date=5 March 2023 |access-date=8 May 2023 |newspaper=[[20 minutes (France)|20 minutes]] |language=fr}}</ref>

In 2011, Bellucci was ranked fourth in ''[[Los Angeles Times Magazine]]''{{'}}s list of the "50 most beautiful women in film".<ref>{{cite news |date=9 February 2011 |title=Isabelle Adjani tops Time Magazine's beautiful women list |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/world/isabelle-adjani-tops-time-magazines-2392536 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230819120228/https://www.deccanherald.com/world/isabelle-adjani-tops-time-magazines-2392536 |archive-date=19 August 2023 |access-date=19 August 2023 |newspaper=[[Deccan Herald]]}}</ref> She was voted number one on [[NRJ 12]]'s list of "100 sexiest stars of 2011", which was based on a nationwide survey conducted in France that included American and French actresses, models, singers, female athletes and television presenters.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=12 April 2011 |title=Les 100 stars les plus sexy: Monica Bellucci numéro 1... encore! |trans-title=The 100 sexiest stars: Monica Bellucci number 1... again! |url=https://www.premiere.fr/TV/News-TV/VIDEO-Les-100-stars-les-plus-sexy-Monica-Bellucci-Ndeg1-encore |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230507174100/https://www.premiere.fr/TV/News-TV/VIDEO-Les-100-stars-les-plus-sexy-Monica-Bellucci-Ndeg1-encore |archive-date=7 May 2023 |access-date=18 February 2024 |magazine=[[Première (magazine)|Première]] |language=fr}}</ref> In 2012, Bellucci said she had never undergone cosmetic procedures, saying: "I don't like the idea of having my face retouched and, frankly, I think it's quite dangerous for an actress.&nbsp;... Compared to a plastic face, I prefer wrinkles."<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Audiffredi |first=Giovanni |date=24 April 2012 |title=Monica Bellucci: 'Io non mi rifaccio' |trans-title=Monica Bellucci: 'I don't change myself' |url=https://www.vanityfair.it/people/italia/12/10/03/monica-bellucci-intervista-chirurgia-plastica |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230823165226/https://www.vanityfair.it/people/italia/12/10/03/monica-bellucci-intervista-chirurgia-plastica |archive-date=23 August 2023 |access-date=23 August 2023 |magazine=Vanity Fair |language=it}}</ref>

In ''The Times'', Pearce called Bellucci "arguably the world's most beautiful actress", saying she has the propensity to specialise in playing "[u]gly scenes", which is exemplified by the rape scene in ''Irréversible'' (2002).<ref name="Times2005-10-30" /> In 2005, Salisbury wrote in ''The Guardian'' Bellucci represents an "international object of desire" and said: "[i]n person, as on screen, Bellucci radiates a rare, otherworldly beauty".<ref name="Salisbury2005" /> Based on Bellucci's projected image and her work for Cartier, ''[[Kommersant]]'' described her as the "type of diva whose fame depends little on her roles".<ref>{{cite news |date=31 May 2007 |script-title=ru:Каждому свой час |trans-title=To each his own hour |url=https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/768122 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240209190019/https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/768122 |archive-date=9 February 2024 |access-date=22 February 2024 |newspaper=[[Kommersant]] |page=42 |language=ru |issue=93}}</ref> Bellucci's physical characteristics have led her inclusion in lists of all-time beauties and sex symbols compiled by magazines such as ''Esquire Japan'' and ''[[Men's Health]]'' in the US and Australia.<ref>''Esquire Japan'', ''Men's Health'' USA and Australia:

* {{cite magazine |date=28 February 2018 |script-title=ja:Esquire が選ぶ「史上もっとも美しい女性28人」 |trans-title=Esquire's '28 Most Beautiful Women of All Time' |url=https://www.esquire.com/jp/culture/woman/g204724/culture-woman-beautifulwomen18-0228/?slide=12 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231202175531/https://www.esquire.com/jp/culture/woman/g204724/culture-woman-beautifulwomen18-0228/?slide=12 |archive-date=2 December 2023 |access-date=2 December 2023 |magazine=[[Esquire (magazine)|Esquire]] |language=ja}}
* {{cite magazine |date=1 July 2020 |title=The 100 Hottest Sex Symbols of All Time |url=https://www.menshealth.com/sex-women/g19547274/hottest-women-all-time/?slide=86 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230211133337/https://www.menshealth.com/sex-women/g19547274/hottest-women-all-time/?slide=86 |archive-date=11 February 2023 |access-date=12 February 2023 |magazine=[[Men's Health]]}}
* {{cite magazine |date=1 May 2021 |title=100 Hottest Women of All Time |url=https://www.menshealth.com.au/the-100-hottest-women-of-all-time/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230211132154/https://www.menshealth.com.au/the-100-hottest-women-of-all-time/ |archive-date=11 February 2023 |access-date=12 February 2023 |magazine=Men's Health |location=[[Australia]]}}</ref>

Federico Roberto Antonelli, director of the [[Istituto Italiano di Cultura|Italian Cultural Institute]] in China, said: "everyone dreams of ''Malèna''{{'s}} Monica Bellucci".<ref>{{cite news |last=Santevecchi |first=Guido |date=25 August 2022 |title=Come i cinesi vedono gli italiani: 'Sempre in ritardo e un po' infantili. Noi sogniamo la Bellucci di Malena' |trans-title=How the Chinese see the Italians: 'Always late and a little childish. We dream of the Bellucci of Malena' |url=https://www.corriere.it/cronache/visti-dagli/22_agosto_25/come-cinesi-vedono-italiani-sempre-ritardo-po-infantili-noi-sogniamo-bellucci-malena-580cb07a-24b2-11ed-9477-8142972fc587.shtml |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220826082939/https://www.corriere.it/cronache/visti-dagli/22_agosto_25/come-cinesi-vedono-italiani-sempre-ritardo-po-infantili-noi-sogniamo-bellucci-malena-580cb07a-24b2-11ed-9477-8142972fc587.shtml |archive-date=26 August 2022 |access-date=15 August 2023 |newspaper=Corriere della Sera |language=it}}</ref> In 2021, ''[[Vogue France]]'' ranked Bellucci fourth in its list of the "most beautiful Italian actresses of all time".<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Guarrigues |first=Manon |date=15 June 2021 |others=Translated by Stephanie Green |title=The most beautiful Italian actresses of all time |url=https://www.vogue.fr/fashion-culture/fashion-exhibitions/diaporama/the-most-beautiful-italian-actresses-of-all-time-monica-belucci-sophia-loren/51863 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114215917/https://www.vogue.fr/fashion-culture/fashion-exhibitions/diaporama/the-most-beautiful-italian-actresses-of-all-time-monica-belucci-sophia-loren/51863 |archive-date=14 January 2022 |access-date=12 February 2023 |magazine=Vogue France}}</ref> Media consider Bellucci an Italian sex symbol.<ref name="Salisbury2005" /><ref>"sex symbol":

* {{cite news |last=Barlow |first=Helen |date=25 September 2011 |title=Bella donna won't be tamed |url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/movies/bella-donna-wont-be-tamed-20110924-1kq0m.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240131190641/https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/movies/bella-donna-wont-be-tamed-20110924-1kq0m.html |archive-date=31 January 2024 |access-date=31 January 2024 |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald}}
* {{cite magazine |last=Hiatt |first=Brian |date=11 January 2002 |title=Monica Bellucci gets intimate with EW.com |url=https://ew.com/article/2002/01/11/monica-bellucci-gets-intimate-ewcom/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230917151006/https://ew.com/celebrity/margaret-qualley-jack-antonoff-get-married-see-wedding-photos-guests/ |archive-date=17 September 2023 |access-date=17 September 2023 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly}}
* {{cite news |date=4 December 2006 |title=Bellucci: con Scamarcio la scena più erotica |trans-title=Bellucci: with Scamarcio the most erotic scene |url=https://www.corriere.it/Primo_Piano/Spettacoli/2006/11_Novembre/29/bellucci.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240131191846/https://www.corriere.it/Primo_Piano/Spettacoli/2006/11_Novembre/29/bellucci.html |archive-date=31 January 2024 |access-date=31 January 2024 |newspaper=Corriere della Sera |language=it}}</ref> ''Rolling Stone Italy'' included Bellucci in its list of "10 greatest sex symbols of the 1990s".<ref name="Digiuni2022" /> She takes a "peaceful" attitude towards ageing and mainly believes in pasta, wine, and a little pilates for her "beauty regime", and is not addicted to exercise and dieting.<ref name="Hodge2021" /> In 2023, Bellucci said having been "objectified" during her film career did not bother her and that she was aware she had made the most of her body for specific roles.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=23 August 2023 |title=Monica Bellucci, dalla moda al cinema (e l'amore per Burton): 'Il mio corpo mi ha aiutato. A volte la bellezza crea maschere' |trans-title=Monica Bellucci, from fashion to cinema (and love for Burton): 'My body helped me. Sometimes beauty creates masks' |url=https://www.ilmessaggero.it/persone/monica_bellucci_harper_bazaar_intervista_corpo_carriera_tim_burton-7590155.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240106182654/https://www.ilmessaggero.it/persone/monica_bellucci_harper_bazaar_intervista_corpo_carriera_tim_burton-7590155.html |archive-date=6 January 2024 |access-date=8 January 2024 |magazine=Harper's Bazaar |language=it |via=[[Il Messaggero]]}}</ref> [[Elisabeth Vincentelli]] wrote for ''The New York Times'' in 2023 that Bellucci has achieved a "reputation as a symbol of European glamour and sophistication" that is "firmly established".<ref name="Vincentelli2023" />

==Personal life==
Bellucci's first marriage was with Italian photographer Claudio Carlos Basso.<ref name="Williams2017"/><ref>{{cite news |date=11 April 2019 |title=Monica Bellucci: 'dopo due divorzi serve tempo per ricominciare'. Ma a Parigi ufficializza la relazione con Nicolas Lefebvre |trans-title=Monica Bellucci: 'after two divorces you need time to start again'. But in Paris she formalises her relationship with Nicolas Lefebvre |url=https://www.repubblica.it/moda-e-beauty/2019/04/11/news/monica_bellucci_racconta_relazione_nuovo_amore_artista_nicolas_lefebvre_come_superare_divorzio_vincent_cassell-291595517/ |url-status=live |language=it |newspaper=[[la Repubblica]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240130192517/https://www.repubblica.it/moda-e-beauty/2019/04/11/news/monica_bellucci_racconta_relazione_nuovo_amore_artista_nicolas_lefebvre_come_superare_divorzio_vincent_cassell-291595517/ |archive-date=30 January 2024 |access-date=30 January 2024}}</ref> In a 2006 interview, Bellucci said she met Basso in 1987, when he recruited her for a photography session; she was 23 and he was five years older.<ref name="TgCom24-2006">{{cite magazine |date=20 December 2006 |title=Bellucci, il primo e austero 'sì' |trans-title=Bellucci, the first and austere 'yes' |url=https://www.tgcom24.mediaset.it/people/articoli/340951/bellucci-il-primo-e-austero-si-.shtml |url-status=live |language=it |magazine=[[Chi (magazine)|Chi]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231121181503/https://www.tgcom24.mediaset.it/people/articoli/340951/bellucci-il-primo-e-austero-si-.shtml |archive-date=21 November 2023 |access-date=22 November 2023 |via=[[TgCom24]] |trans-quote=the one who said her first 'yes' on 3 January 1990 in Monte Carlo&nbsp;... 'I met Claudio in 1987, when I was working as a model to pay for my studies'}}</ref> Bellucci and Basso married in [[Monte-Carlo]] on 3 January 1990.<ref name="Hattersley2015"/><ref name="TgCom24-2006"/><ref name="Boschi2009">{{cite magazine |last=Boschi |first=Silvana |date=27 November 2009 |title=Siamo unna coppia di Zingari |trans-title=We are a Gypsy couple |department=Interview |magazine=[[Grand Hotel (magazine)|Grand Hotel]] |language=it |publisher=[[Cino Del Duca|Edizioni Del Duca]] |issue=48, cover: [[Barbara D'Urso]]) |page=25 |quote=''Infatti, dopo essersi sposati in gran segreto nel 1999 con ritto civile nelprincipato di Monaco (proprio dove Monica il 3 gennaio del 1990 sposò in prime nozze il fotografo Claudio Basso da cui  divorziò un anno dopo)'' |trans-quote=In fact, after getting married in great secrecy in 1999 in a civil ceremony in the principality of Monaco (precisely where Monica married the photographer Claudio Basso for her first wedding on 3 January 1990, from whom she divorced a year later)}}</ref> They divorced a year later.<ref name="Express2013-04-11"/><ref name="TgCom24-2006"/><ref name="Boschi2009"/>

Bellucci was in a relationship with Italian actor {{ill|Nicola Farron|it}} for several years.<ref name="Ascione2019">{{cite news |last=Ascione |first=Arianna |date=1 September 2019 |title=Bellucci-Cassel-Kunakey, dal grande amore alle frecciate (e al gelo) |trans-title=Bellucci-Cassel-Kunakey, from great love to the barbs (and frost) |url=https://www.corriere.it/spettacoli/mostra-del-cinema-venezia/cards/monica-bellucci-suo-rapporto-vincent-cassel-incontro-set-frecciatine-il-nuovo-matrimonio-di-lui/appartamento.shtml |url-status=live |language=it |newspaper=[[Corriere della Sera]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230903134031/https://www.corriere.it/spettacoli/mostra-del-cinema-venezia/cards/monica-bellucci-suo-rapporto-vincent-cassel-incontro-set-frecciatine-il-nuovo-matrimonio-di-lui/appartamento.shtml |archive-date=3 September 2023 |access-date=3 September 2023 |quote=''I due, che si erano conosciuti sul set di 'Vita coi figli' di Dino Risi&nbsp;... la storia finì definitivamente quando lei conobbe Vincent Cassel, il suo futuro marito'' |trans-quote=The two, who had met on the set of Dino Risi's 'Vita coi figli'&nbsp;... ''Nicola Farron said in 2012'': 'the story ended definitively when she met Vincent Cassel, her future husband'.}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Desando |first=Concetta |date=29 June 2023 |title=Monica Bellucci conferma la nuova love story: 'Amo Tim Burton' |trans-title=Monica Bellucci confirms the new love story: 'I love Tim Burton' |url=https://www.iodonna.it/personaggi/star-internazionali/2023/06/29/monica-bellucci-tim-burton-conferma-storia-amore-nuova-coppia/ |url-status=live |language=it |magazine=[[IO Donna]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231126220230/https://www.iodonna.it/personaggi/star-internazionali/2023/06/29/monica-bellucci-tim-burton-conferma-storia-amore-nuova-coppia/ |archive-date=26 November 2023 |access-date=26 November 2023}}</ref> Farron said they met in 1990<!-- "1990": see 2nd source (2012 DiPiù) --> on the set of {{lang|it|Vita coi figli}}.<ref name="Ascione2019"/><ref name="DiPiù2012">{{cite magazine |date=8 May 2012 |title=Farron: 'Ero ricco e la Bellucci mi amava' |trans-title=Farron: 'I was rich and Bellucci loved me' |url=https://www.tgcom24.mediaset.it/spettacolo/articoli/1045411/farron-ero-ricco-e-la-bellucci-mi-amava-.shtml |url-status=live |language=it |magazine=[[Cairo Communication|DiPiù]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231126213640/https://www.tgcom24.mediaset.it/spettacolo/articoli/1045411/farron-ero-ricco-e-la-bellucci-mi-amava-.shtml |archive-date=26 November 2023 |access-date=26 November 2023 |via=[[TgCom24]]}}</ref> Farron said he felt "an overwhelming passion" for Bellucci.<ref name="DiPiù2012"/> Their relationship became unstable because other men increasingly lusted after Bellucci<ref name="Ascione2019"/><ref name="DiPiù2012"/> and the couple separated in 1995.<ref name="Ascione2019"/><ref>{{cite magazine |date=9 September 2008 |title=Monica Bellucci |url=https://www.elle.com/it/showbiz/celebrities/news/a835085/monica-bellucci/ |url-status=live |language=it |magazine=[[Elle (magazine)|Elle]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220818203634/https://www.elle.com/it/showbiz/celebrities/news/a835085/monica-bellucci/ |archive-date=18 August 2022 |access-date=18 August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=19 December 2021 |title=Monica Bellucci, prima di Vincent Cassel la storia con Nicola Farron: 'Non credo nella fedeltà carnale' |trans-title=Monica Bellucci, before Vincent Cassel the story with Nicola Farron: 'I don't believe in carnal fidelity' |url=https://corrieredellumbria.corr.it/news/spettacoli/29842359/monica-bellucci-chi-e-vincent-cassel-prima-storia-nicola-farron-no-credo-fedelta-carnale-deva-leonie.html |url-status=dead |language=it |newspaper=[[Corriere dell'Umbria]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220818203635/https://corrieredellumbria.corr.it/news/spettacoli/29842359/monica-bellucci-chi-e-vincent-cassel-prima-storia-nicola-farron-no-credo-fedelta-carnale-deva-leonie.html |archive-date=18 August 2022 |access-date=4 June 2023}}</ref>{{cbignore}}

[[File:Vincent Cassel Cannes 2018.jpg|thumb|upright=0.75|alt=Vincent Cassel wearing a black suit and bow tie|Bellucci's second husband of fourteen years [[Vincent Cassel]] in 2018]]

Bellucci and French actor [[Vincent Cassel]] met in 1995 on the set of their film ''The Apartment''.<ref name="Solomons2009">{{cite news |last=Solomons |first=Jason |author-link=Jason Solomons |date=22 March 2009 |title=France's most wanted |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2009/mar/22/vincent-cassel-mesrine-la-haine |url-status=live |language=en-GB |newspaper=The Guardian |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240130205807/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2009/mar/22/vincent-cassel-mesrine-la-haine |archive-date=30 January 2024 |access-date=30 January 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |date=24 October 2013 |title=Photos − Monica Bellucci: 'Ma relation avec Vincent est une vraie réussite' |trans-title=Photos − Monica Bellucci: 'My relationship with Vincent is a real success' |url=https://www.premiere.fr/People/PHOTOS-Monica-Bellucci-Ma-relation-avec-Vincent-est-une-vraie-reussite |url-status=live |language=fr |magazine=Première |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240131205051/https://www.premiere.fr/People/PHOTOS-Monica-Bellucci-Ma-relation-avec-Vincent-est-une-vraie-reussite |archive-date=31 January 2024 |access-date=31 January 2024}}</ref> They married in [[Monaco]] at the beginning of August 1999.<ref name="Lévy-Frébault2013">{{cite magazine |last=Lévy-Frébault |first=Tiphaine |date=26 August 2013 |title=En Images. Vincent Cassel et Monica Bellucci, la fin de la Dolce Vita |trans-title=In images. Vincent Cassel and Monica Bellucci, the end of the Dolce Vita |url=https://www.lexpress.fr/styles/diapo-photo/styles/decryptage-people/vincent-cassel-et-monica-bellucci-la-fin-de-la-dolce-vita_1276117.html |url-status=live |language=fr |magazine=[[L'Express]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220819151225/https://www.lexpress.fr/styles/diapo-photo/styles/decryptage-people/vincent-cassel-et-monica-bellucci-la-fin-de-la-dolce-vita_1276117.html |archive-date=19 August 2022 |access-date=3 December 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Uccello |first=Luca |date=4 March 2023 |title=Monica Bellucci e Tim Burton: 'Un fantastico colpo di fulmine'. I due paparazzati a Parigi |trans-title=Monica Bellucci and Tim Burton: 'A fantastic love at first sight'. The two photographed in Paris |url=https://www.ilmessaggero.it/persone/monica_bellucci_tim_burton_fidanzati_foto_ultime_news-7267235.html |url-status=live |language=it |newspaper=[[Il Messaggero]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240130185921/https://www.ilmessaggero.it/persone/monica_bellucci_tim_burton_fidanzati_foto_ultime_news-7267235.html |archive-date=30 January 2024 |access-date=30 January 2024}}</ref> Bellucci and Cassel have two daughters, [[Deva Cassel|Deva]] (born 12 September 2004) and Léonie (born 21 May 2010), both of whom were born in Rome.<ref>{{cite news |last=Minucci |first=Emanuela |date=22 February 2023 |title=Monica Bellucci in coppia con Tim Burton. Il regista: 'Sono pazzo di lei' |trans-title=Monica Bellucci in pair with Tim Burton. The director: 'I'm crazy about her' |url=https://www.lastampa.it/spettacoli/2023/02/22/news/monica_bellucci_in_coppia_con_tim_burton_il_regista_sono_pazzo_di_lei-12656194/ |url-status=live |language=it |newspaper=La Stampa |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230915174317/https://www.lastampa.it/spettacoli/2023/02/22/news/monica_bellucci_in_coppia_con_tim_burton_il_regista_sono_pazzo_di_lei-12656194/|archive-date=15 September 2023 |access-date=4 November 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=26 May 2010 |title=Heureux événement pour Monica Belluci et Vincent Cassel |trans-title=Happy event for Monica Bellucci and Vincent Cassel |url=https://www.ladepeche.fr/article/2010/05/26/842369-heureux-evenement-pour-monica-belluci-et-vincent-cassel.html |url-status=live |language=fr |newspaper=[[La Dépêche du Midi]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220818203634/https://www.ladepeche.fr/article/2010/05/26/842369-heureux-evenement-pour-monica-belluci-et-vincent-cassel.html |archive-date=18 August 2022 |access-date=4 November 2023}}</ref> Film critic [[Jason Solomons]] wrote Bellucci and Cassel were "the golden couple of European cinema".{{efn|Beatrice Loayza wrote for ''[[The New York Times]]'' that Bellucci and Cassel "were like the French equivalent" of [[Nicole Kidman]] and [[Tom Cruise]].<ref name="Loayza2023"/>}}<ref name="Solomons2009"/> The couple acted together in nine films between 1996 and 2006.<ref name="Solomons2009"/><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Mazzacurati |first=Iris |date=27 August 2013 |title=En Images: Bellucci-Cassel: 18 ans et 9 films en commun |trans-title=In Images. Bellucci-Cassel: 18 years and 9 films in common |url=https://www.lexpress.fr/diaporama/diapo-photo/culture/cinema/bellucci-cassel-18-ans-et-9-films-en-communs_1276299.html |url-status=live |language=fr |magazine=L'Express |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220820140352/https://www.lexpress.fr/diaporama/diapo-photo/culture/cinema/bellucci-cassel-18-ans-et-9-films-en-communs_1276299.html |archive-date=20 August 2022 |access-date=23 March 2023}}</ref>{{cbignore}} In March 2013, Bellucci reflected on the evolution of their marriage when she and Cassel often lived separately in Italy, France, Brazil and England.<ref name="Lévy-Frébault2013"/> The couple's separation by "mutual agreement" was announced on 26 August 2013{{efn|Bellucci and Cassel's separation entered the top&nbsp;10 trending topics on [[Twitter]] following the announcement.<ref>{{cite news |last=Perrin |first=Olivier |date=27 August 2013 |title=Monica Bellucci e Vincent Cassel, è finito |url=https://www.letemps.ch/societe/monica-bellucci-vincent-cassel-finito |url-status=live |language=fr |newspaper=Le Temps |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231202203612/https://www.letemps.ch/societe/monica-bellucci-vincent-cassel-finito |archive-date=2 December 2023 |access-date=2 December 2023}}</ref>}}<ref>{{cite news |last=Alwan |first=Margaret |date=26 August 2013 |title=Monica Bellucci et Vincent Cassel: le couple en cinq films |trans-title=Monica Bellucci and Vincent Cassel: the couple in five films |url=https://www.lefigaro.fr/cinema/2013/08/26/03002-20130826ARTFIG00433-monica-bellucci-et-vincent-cassel-le-couple-en-cinq-films.php |url-status=live |language=fr |newspaper=Le Figaro |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230412201237/https://www.lefigaro.fr/cinema/2013/08/26/03002-20130826ARTFIG00433-monica-bellucci-et-vincent-cassel-le-couple-en-cinq-films.php |archive-date=12 April 2023 |access-date=31 January 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Nudd |first=Tim |date=2 December 2020 |orig-date=First published August 2013 |title=Monica Bellucci and Vincent Cassel Separate |url=https://people.com/celebrity/monica-bellucci-and-vincent-cassel-separate/ |url-status=live |magazine=[[People (magazine)|People]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240131180025/https://people.com/celebrity/monica-bellucci-and-vincent-cassel-separate/ |archive-date=31 January 2024 |access-date=31 January 2024}}</ref> and they later divorced.{{efn|In a December 2014 interview, Bellucci said of Cassel: "Love, especially when there are children, is always there". The two have remained close ever since.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=31 December 2014 |title=Monica Bellucci toujours amoureuse de Vincent Cassel après la séparation |trans-title=Monica Bellucci still in love with Vincent Cassel after the separation |url=https://www.bfmtv.com/people/monica-bellucci-toujours-amoureuse-de-vincent-cassel-apres-la-separation_VN-201412310023.html |url-status=live |language=fr |magazine=Paris Match |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220818180802/https://www.bfmtv.com/people/monica-bellucci-toujours-amoureuse-de-vincent-cassel-apres-la-separation_VN-201412310023.html |archive-date=18 August 2022 |access-date=18 August 2022 |via=[[BFM TV]]}}</ref>}}<ref>{{cite news |last=Robey |first=Tim |date=28 May 2016 |title=Vincent Cassel: 'Women like security. Men prefer adventure' |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2016/05/28/vincent-cassel-women-like-security-men-prefer-adventure/ |url-status=live |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=13 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211213205829/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2016/05/28/vincent-cassel-women-like-security-men-prefer-adventure/ |archive-date=13 December 2021 |url-access=registration}}</ref>

In October 2013, Bellucci said she had almost always been in a relationship since the one with her first boyfriend at the age of fourteen.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Jacobbi |first=Paola |date=22 October 2013 |title=Monica Bellucci: 'Single (per la prima volta in vita mia)' |trans-title=Monica Bellucci: 'Single (for the first time in my life)' |url=https://www.vanityfair.it/people/italia/13/10/22/monica-bellucci-single-fine-amore-cassel-cover-vanity-fair |url-status=live |language=it |magazine=Vanity Fair |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240202214035/https://www.vanityfair.it/people/italia/13/10/22/monica-bellucci-single-fine-amore-cassel-cover-vanity-fair |archive-date=2 February 2024 |access-date=2 February 2024}}</ref>

In 2019, Bellucci was in a relationship with the French sculptor and former model Nicolas Lefebvre.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=6 March 2019 |title=Monica Bellucci: chi è il suo nuovo fidanzato? |trans-title=Monica Bellucci: who is her new boyfriend? |url=https://www.vogue.it/news/article/monica-bellucci-chi-e-il-suo-nuovo-fidanzato-nicolas-lefebvre |url-status=live |magazine=Vogue Italia |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230902163533/https://www.vogue.it/news/article/monica-bellucci-chi-e-il-suo-nuovo-fidanzato-nicolas-lefebvre |archive-date=2 September 2023 |access-date=2 September 2023}}</ref> They had been dating since 2017.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Saltalamacchia |first=Stefania |date=8 June 2019 |title=Monica Bellucci e Nicolas Lefebvre, Parigi mon amour |trans-title=Monica Bellucci and Nicolas Lefebvre, Paris my love |url=https://www.vanityfair.it/people/italia/2019/06/08/monica-bellucci-fidanzato-nicolas-lefebvre-parigi-foto-gossip |url-status=live |language=it |magazine=Vanity Fair |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230304151554/https://www.vanityfair.it/people/italia/2019/06/08/monica-bellucci-fidanzato-nicolas-lefebvre-parigi-foto-gossip |archive-date=4 March 2023 |access-date=4 March 2023}}</ref> Lefebvre, who was then aged 36, and Bellucci made their relationship "official" in early March 2019 during a [[Chanel]] show at the [[Grand Palais]] in Paris.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Saltalamacchia |first=Stefania |date=6 March 2019 |title=Monica Bellucci e l'amore che diventa 'ufficiale' con Nicolas Lefebvre |trans-title=Monica Bellucci and the love that becomes 'official' with Nicolas Lefebvre |url=https://www.vanityfair.it/people/italia/2019/03/06/monica-bellucci-nuovo-fidanzato-chi-e-nicolas-lefebvre-foto-gossip |url-status=live |language=it |magazine=Vanity Fair |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230902154730/https://www.vanityfair.it/people/italia/2019/03/06/monica-bellucci-nuovo-fidanzato-chi-e-nicolas-lefebvre-foto-gossip |archive-date=2 September 2023 |access-date=9 December 2023}}</ref> Bellucci told Italian magazine ''F'' about the end of their relationship, which was reported by other media in early July 2019.<ref>{{cite news |last=Huin |first=Eva |date=3 July 2019 |title='Cet homme m'a appris tant de choses': Monica Bellucci annonce s'être séparée de l'artiste Nicolas Lefebvre |trans-title='This man taught me so many things': Monica Bellucci announces that she has separated from the artist Nicolas Lefebvre |url=https://www.tf1info.fr/culture/cet-homme-m-a-appris-tant-de-choses-monica-bellucci-annonce-s-etre-separee-de-l-artiste-nicolas-lefebvre-2125966.html |url-status=live |language=fr |work=[[TF1 Group|TF1 Info]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313212815/https://www.tf1info.fr/culture/cet-homme-m-a-appris-tant-de-choses-monica-bellucci-annonce-s-etre-separee-de-l-artiste-nicolas-lefebvre-2125966.html |archive-date=13 March 2023 |access-date=13 March 2023}}</ref>

In February 2023, ''Paris Match'' reported Bellucci and American filmmaker [[Tim Burton]] were in a relationship that began in October 2022.{{efn|According to ''Paris Match'', Bellucci and American filmmaker Tim Burton briefly met at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival. They reconnected in October 2022 at the [[Lumière Film Festival]] in [[Lyon]].<ref>{{cite magazine |date=21 February 2023 |url=https://www.parismatch.com/people/monica-bellucci-et-tim-burton-sont-en-couple-une-histoire-nee-lyon-222355 |title=Monica Bellucci et Tim Burton sont en couple: une histoire née à Lyon |trans-title=Monica Bellucci and Tim Burton are a couple: a story born in Lyon |language=fr |magazine=Paris Match |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230320203618/https://www.parismatch.com/people/monica-bellucci-et-tim-burton-sont-en-couple-une-histoire-nee-lyon-222355 |archive-date=20 March 2023 |access-date=4 March 2023}}</ref>}}<ref>{{cite news |date=22 February 2023 |title=Monica Bellucci y Tim Burton, pareja sorpresa por las calles de París |trans-title=Monica Bellucci and Tim Burton, a surprise couple on the streets of Paris |url=https://elpais.com/gente/2023-02-22/monica-bellucci-y-tim-burton-pareja-sorpresa-por-las-calles-de-paris.html |url-status=live |language=es |newspaper=[[El País]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231112140136/https://elpais.com/gente/2023-02-22/monica-bellucci-y-tim-burton-pareja-sorpresa-por-las-calles-de-paris.html |archive-date=12 November 2023 |access-date=12 November 2023 |url-access=registration}}</ref> In June 2023, Bellucci confirmed she was in a relationship with Burton.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ng |first=Kate |date=29 June 2023 |title=Monica Bellucci opens up about romance with Tim Burton for first time: 'I love him' |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/love-sex/monica-bellucci-tim-burton-relationship-b2366397.html |url-status=live |newspaper=The Independent |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230710234608/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/love-sex/monica-bellucci-tim-burton-relationship-b2366397.html |archive-date=10 July 2023 |access-date=18 August 2023}}</ref> They made their first public appearance at the [[Rome Film Festival]] in October 2023.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Colosimo |first=Valentina |date=20 October 2023 |title=Monica Bellucci e Tim Burton, la nostra coppia preferita da red carpet |trans-title=Monica Bellucci and Tim Burton, our favourite red carpet couple |url=https://www.vanityfair.it/gallery/monica-bellucci-tim-burton-coppia-red-carpet-festa-cinema-roma |url-status=live |language=it |magazine=Vanity Fair |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231025170014/https://www.vanityfair.it/gallery/monica-bellucci-tim-burton-coppia-red-carpet-festa-cinema-roma |archive-date=25 October 2023 |access-date=20 October 2023}}</ref>

Besides her native Italian, Bellucci is fluent in French and English,<ref name="Alexander2014"/> and is proficient in Portuguese and Spanish.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Cancellotti |first=Martina |date=21 March 2017 |title=Monica Bellucci: 6 cose che non sai sulla sua vita privata |trans-title=Monica Bellucci: 6 things you don't know about her private life |url=https://www.elle.com/it/magazine/g1549/monica-bellucci-vita-privata-curiosita/ |url-status=live |language=it |magazine=Elle |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211206095832/https://www.elle.com/it/magazine/g1549/monica-bellucci-vita-privata-curiosita/ |archive-date=6 December 2021 |access-date=12 February 2023}}</ref> After her divorce from Cassel, Bellucci lived with her daughters in England, France, and Italy. By 2015, she had decided to live in France. Bellucci said: "I am entirely Italian. Everything about me is Italian", and that "Paris is part of my history".<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Louaguef |first=Sarah |date=23 January 2015 |title=Monica Bellucci choisit la France pour ses filles − 'J'ai décidé de vivre à Paris' |trans-title=Monica Bellucci chooses France for her daughters − 'I decided to live in Paris' |url=https://www.parismatch.com/People/Monica-Bellucci-a-decide-de-s-installer-en-France-pour-eduquer-ses-filles-696086 |url-status=live |language=fr |magazine=Paris Match |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220819160839/https://www.parismatch.com/People/Monica-Bellucci-a-decide-de-s-installer-en-France-pour-eduquer-ses-filles-696086 |archive-date=19 August 2022 |access-date=5 June 2023}}</ref> Bellucci said she votes in Italy, not in France,<ref name="Sajip2018"/> and she does not have [[French nationality law|French nationality]].<ref name="Montefiori2022"/> She owns houses in Rome and [[Lisbon]],<ref name="Williams2017"/> and in 2023, she purchased a villa on the Greek island of [[Paros]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Savva |first=Maria |date=13 September 2023 |script-title=el:Monica Bellucci: Αγόρασε πολυτελή βίλα στην Πάρο |trans-title=Monica Bellucci: She has bought a luxury villa in Paros |url=https://www.kathimerini.com.cy/gr/goodlife/showbiz/monica-bellucci-agorase-polyteli-bila-stin-paro |url-status=live |language=el |newspaper=[[Kathimerini]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230915144723/https://www.kathimerini.com.cy/gr/goodlife/showbiz/monica-bellucci-agorase-polyteli-bila-stin-paro |archive-date=15 September 2023 |access-date=15 September 2023}}</ref>

According to Bellucci, she has moved away from her religious roots saying "I come from a Catholic religion, but I'm not Catholic".<ref>{{cite news |date=9 May 2003 |title=Monica Bellucci Interview |url=http://www.whoaisnotme.net/articles/2003_0509_mon.htm |work=Whoa is (Not) Me |location=[[Singapore]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230330152929/http://www.whoaisnotme.net/articles/2003_0509_mon.htm |archive-date=30 March 2023 |access-date=30 March 2023}}</ref> She has called herself an [[agnosticism|agnostic]].{{efn|Bellucci elaborated further: "I am an agnostic, even though I respect and am interested in all religions&nbsp;... If there's something I believe in, it's a mysterious energy; the one that fills the oceans during tides, the one that unites nature and beings".<ref name="Alexander2014"/>}}<ref name="Morgoglione"/>

In 2018, [[Ministry of Economics and Finance (France)|French tax authorities]] investigated Bellucci for non-declaration of a safe and [[Banking in Switzerland|bank accounts in Switzerland]] that were linked to an [[offshore company]] in the [[British Virgin Islands]] (BVI).<ref name="Zantonelli2018">{{cite news |last=Zantonelli |first=Franco |date=4 May 2018 |title=Monica Bellucci accusata dal Fisco francese. La Svizzera sceglie di collaborate |trans-title=Monica Bellucci accused by the French tax authorities. Switzerland chooses to collaborate |url=https://www.repubblica.it/economia/2018/05/04/news/monica_bellucci_accusata_dal_fisco_francese_la_svizzera_sceglie_di_collaborare-195484555/ |url-status=live |language=it |newspaper=la Repubblica |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240204122548/https://www.repubblica.it/economia/2018/05/04/news/monica_bellucci_accusata_dal_fisco_francese_la_svizzera_sceglie_di_collaborare-195484555/ |archive-date=4 February 2024 |access-date=4 February 2024}}</ref> The French authorities tried to recover French taxes for the tax years 2011 to 2013 because they suspected [[tax evasion]]; Bellucci's lawyer stated she lived in the UK and not Paris.<ref name="Zantonelli2018"/> In September 2021, Bellucci said being "up to date with my tax obligations both in France and abroad".{{clarify|reason=This sentence is incomplete.|date=May 2024}} The results of the investigation into her Swiss bank accounts remain undisclosed.<ref name="Espresso2021">{{cite magazine |date=8 October 2021 |title=Pandora Papers, Monica Bellucci attrice. Società offshore per i diritti d'immagine |trans-title=Pandora Papers, Monica Bellucci actress. Offshore companies for image rights |url=https://lespresso.it/c/-/2021/10/8/pandora-papers-monica-bellucci-attrice-societa-offshore-per-i-diritti-dimmagine/13080 |url-status=live |language=it |magazine=[[L'Espresso]]; [[International Consortium of Investigative Journalists|ICIJ]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240204124039/https://lespresso.it/c/-/2021/10/8/pandora-papers-monica-bellucci-attrice-societa-offshore-per-i-diritti-dimmagine/13080 |archive-date=4 February 2024 |access-date=4 February 2024}}</ref> Following the investigation, Bellucci was named in the [[Pandora Papers]], a massive data leak from offshore entities of high-profile figures, that was published in October 2021.{{efn|According to [[Alemán, Cordero, Galindo & Lee|Alcogal]], the [[British Virgin Islands]] offshore company that served to manage her image rights operated from 2011 to 2015 and was liquidated in 2016.<ref name="Espresso2021"/>}}<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Biondani |first1=Paolo |last2=Malagutti |first2=Vittorio |last3=Sisti |first3=Leo |date=8 October 2021 |title=Pandora Papers, ecco i nomi dei vip italiani con i soldi offshore |trans-title=Pandora Papers, here are the names of Italian VIPs with offshore money |url=https://lespresso.it/c/inchieste/2021/10/8/pandora-papers-ecco-i-nomi-dei-vip-italiani-con-i-soldi-offshore/13077 |url-status=live |language=it |magazine=L'Espresso |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240204125333/https://lespresso.it/c/inchieste/2021/10/8/pandora-papers-ecco-i-nomi-dei-vip-italiani-con-i-soldi-offshore/13077 |archive-date=4 February 2024 |access-date=4 February 2024}}</ref>

In 2018, ''Forbes'' valued Bellucci's wealth at $45&nbsp;million, ranking her as the third-richest Italian actor.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=28 December 2019 |title=Il patrimonio di Benigni stimato in 245 milioni |trans-title=Benigni's wealth estimated at 245 million |url=https://www.iltirreno.it/tempo-libero/2019/12/28/news/il-patrimonio-di-benigni-stimato-in-245-milioni-1.38264042 |url-status=live |language=it |magazine=Forbes |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231118135231/https://www.iltirreno.it/tempo-libero/2019/12/28/news/il-patrimonio-di-benigni-stimato-in-245-milioni-1.38264042 |archive-date=18 November 2023 |access-date=18 November 2023 |via=[[Il Tirreno]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Ascione |first=Giulia |date=9 July 2020 |title=I vip italiani più ricchi: a quanto ammonta il loro patrimonio? |trans-title=The richest Italian VIPs: how much is their wealth? |url=https://www.alfemminile.com/news-gossip/album1370156/i-vip-italiani-piu-ricchi-0.html#p1 |url-status=live |language=it |work=[[GEDI Gruppo Editoriale|alfemminile]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922171118/https://www.alfemminile.com/news-gossip/album1370156/i-vip-italiani-piu-ricchi-0.html |archive-date=22 September 2021 |access-date=8 January 2024}}</ref>

==Acting credits and accolades==
{{main|List of Monica Bellucci performances|List of awards and nominations received by Monica Bellucci}}

Bellucci has developed her acting career by alternating low-budget arthouse and {{lang|fr|auteur}} films with big-budget films in the Italian, French and American industries.<ref name="SCMP2016"/><ref name="Carrière2017"/><ref>{{cite news |date=14 January 2020 |title=Un Magritte d'honneur pour Monica Bellucci |trans-title=An honorary Magritte for Monica Bellucci |url=https://www.lesoir.be/272774/article/2020-01-14/un-magritte-dhonneur-pour-monica-bellucci |url-status=live |language=fr |newspaper=[[Le Soir]] |agency=[[Belga (news agency)|Belga]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230403185331/https://www.lesoir.be/272774/article/2020-01-14/un-magritte-dhonneur-pour-monica-bellucci |archive-date=3 April 2023 |access-date=6 January 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=19 September 2016 |title=Monica Bellucci at San Sebastian Film Festival: We will always need beauty |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/en-espanol/sdhoy-monica-bellucci-at-san-sebastian-film-festival-we-2016sep19-story.html |url-status=live |newspaper=[[The San Diego Union-Tribune]] |agency=[[EFE]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231111144033/https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/en-espanol/sdhoy-monica-bellucci-at-san-sebastian-film-festival-we-2016sep19-story.html |archive-date=11 November 2023 |access-date=6 January 2024}}</ref>

Bellucci has received honours from the French and Italian governments. In 2006, French [[Minister of the Interior (France)|Minister of the Interior]]<!-- Do not change to "President"--> [[Nicolas Sarkozy]] conferred her with the knight insignia of the [[Ordre des Arts et des Lettres|Order of Arts and Letters]].<ref>{{cite news |date=29 January 2006 |title=Nicolas Sarkozy |url=https://www.spiegel.de/politik/nicolas-sarkozy-a-17c8aee6-0002-0001-0000-000045624874 |url-status=live |language=de |newspaper=[[Der Spiegel]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230806175042/https://www.spiegel.de/politik/nicolas-sarkozy-a-17c8aee6-0002-0001-0000-000045624874 |archive-date=6 August 2023 |access-date=16 August 2023}}</ref> In 2016, French President [[François Hollande]] presented her with the knight insignia in the<!-- "insignes de chevalier dans l'Ordre National (knight insignia in the National Order)", phrasing via French government websites --> [[Legion of Honour|National Order of the Legion of Honour]] at the Elysée Palace.<ref>{{cite news |last=Le Moal |first=Océane |date=25 November 2016 |title=Monica Bellucci émue de recevoir la légion d'honneur à l'Elysée |trans-title=Monica Bellucci moved to receive the Legion of Honour at the Élysée |url=https://www.tf1info.fr/culture/monica-bellucci-decoree-par-francois-hollande-2014386.html |url-status=live |language=fr |work=[[TF1 Group|TF1 Info]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607144750/https://www.tf1info.fr/culture/monica-bellucci-decoree-par-francois-hollande-2014386.html |archive-date=7 June 2022 |access-date=18 November 2023}}</ref> In 2020, Mayor [[Dario Nardella]] awarded Bellucci the [[Freedom of the City#Key to the city|Key to the City]] of Florence.<ref>{{cite news |last=Crivelli |first=Giulia |date=3 September 2020 |title=Dolce&Gabbana a Firenze con Monica Bellucci madrina del Rinascimento |trans-title=Dolce&Gabbana in Florence with Monica Bellucci godmother of the Renaissance |url=https://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/dolcegabbana-firenze-monica-bellucci-madrina-rinascimento-ADiBEvm |url-status=live |language=it |newspaper=[[Il Sole 24 Ore]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231117215337/https://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/dolcegabbana-firenze-monica-bellucci-madrina-rinascimento-ADiBEvm |archive-date=17 November 2023 |access-date=17 November 2023}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{notelist|30em}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

===Sources===
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book|last=Moliterno|first=Gino|year=2020|title=Historical Dictionary of Italian Cinema|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=N-UGEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA62|edition=2nd|location=Maryland|publisher=[[Rowman & Littlefield]]|isbn=978-1-53811-948-8|access-date=19 February 2023|archive-date=19 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219202228/https://books.google.com/books?id=N-UGEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA62|url-status=live}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Sister project links |wikt=no |commons=Monica Bellucci |b=no |n=no |q=Monica Bellucci |s=no |v=no |species=no |display=Monica Bellucci}}
* {{FMD model|id=monica_bellucci|name=Monica Bellucci}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes|id=celebrity/monica_bellucci|name=Monica Bellucci}}
* {{IMDb name|id=0000899|name=Monica Bellucci}}

{{Navboxes
|title = [[List of awards and nominations received by Monica Bellucci|Awards for Monica Bellucci]]
|list =
{{David di Donatello}}
{{Donostia Award}}
{{Nastro d'Argento Best supporting Actress}}
}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bellucci, Monica}}
[[Category:1964 births]]
[[Category:20th-century Italian actresses]]
[[Category:21st-century Italian actresses]]
[[Category:David di Donatello Career Award winners]]
[[Category:David di Donatello winners]]
[[Category:Italian agnostics]]
[[Category:Italian expatriates in Brazil]]
[[Category:Italian expatriates in England]]
[[Category:Italian expatriates in France]]
[[Category:Italian expatriates in Portugal]]
[[Category:Italian expatriate actresses in the United States]]
[[Category:Italian female models]]
[[Category:Italian film actresses]]
[[Category:Italian video game actresses]]
[[Category:Italian voice actresses]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Magritte Award winners]]
[[Category:Nastro d'Argento winners]]
[[Category:People from Città di Castello]]
[[Category:Actresses from Umbria]]
[[Category:People named in the Pandora Papers]]
[[Category:Storm Management models]]
[[Category:University of Perugia alumni]]