Octogenarian Actress Sophia Loren Says ‘Retire’ Is a Terrible Word

Legendary Italian actress Sophia Loren said the word “retire” was very terrible, and she will not call it a day anytime soon. She added she still has the same zest for life she had when she first became a household name, decades ago.

The 81-year-old actress was speaking at the National Arts Awards in New York City on Monday. Loren received the Carolyn Clark Powers Lifetime Achievement Award at the event, Huffington Post reported.

She also gave precious advice to younger actresses. “Take life seriously ... to do the right things and not to take life easily,” she said. She added that they needed to be more careful of plastic surgery.

Loren said she did not know much about social media, adding that probably today it is what makes people more famous. About the selfie culture, Loren said: "Now when people meet me, they pull out their phones to take pictures."

Loren looked an epitome of Hollywood glamor as she hit the red carpet for the event in a figure-hugging black gown. The octogenarian actress stunned in a black floor-skimming gown, which featured a plunging neckline, long lace sleeves and a ruffled skirt.

Loren accessorized with dazzling diamonds, and her jewelry included a multi-layered choker and tiered earrings. She also carried a lacy black clutch and wore tinted diamond-studded glasses.

It’s been a busy year for the screen icon, who teamed up with Italian fashion designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana to create a limited-edition lipstick shade in honor of her 81st birthday in September. The lipstick, dubbed Sophia Loren N°1, is a semi-sheer lipstick in Loren’s signature shade of red.

The shade is a sheer cherry red and comes in a gold tube with Loren’s signature. The iconic actress is known for her hourglass figure, brunette bouffant, and cat eyeliner. The new shade was launched in September, just a day after her birthday and is priced at $37.

For the first time, Loren also starred in the D&G ad campaign. She looked radiant in the new ads for the lipstick shade, reminding everyone of her ageless beauty. Along with the ads, the brand has also released a 40-second behind-the-scenes video.