**Alida Valli** (Pola, 1921 – Rome, 2006) was an Italian actress of international renown, known for her elegance and the depth of her interpretations.

She began her career in the 1930s, becoming a popular face of Italian cinema of that era, often in roles as sophisticated and romantic women. Her global fame arrived with Hollywood, where she starred in highly successful films such as Alfred Hitchcock's *The Paradine Case* (1947) and especially Carol Reed's *The Third Man* (1949), where her enigmatic and melancholic aura cemented her stardom.

Upon returning to Italy, she delivered some of her most memorable performances. Her role in Luchino Visconti's *Senso* (1954) is considered a pinnacle of her filmography, embodying aristocratic passion and decadence. She continued to work with prominent directors such as Pier Paolo Pasolini (*Oedipus Rex*), Bernardo Bertolucci (*The Spider's Stratagem*), and Dario Argento (*Suspiria*).

Valli's style was characterized by a rare ability to portray complex characters, often with a veil of mystery, dignity, and inner suffering, ranging from historical drama to thriller.