A strong and lasting relationship sometimes develops between photographers and their subjects. Life's Alfred Eisenstaedt and Italian movie star Sophia Loren are like that. During their decades-long friendship, Eisenstadt took countless photographs of Oscar-winning actresses, most of which never appeared on the pages of LIFE magazine (many of which were never intended for the magazine).
"Elsie must have taken thousands of pictures of me that no one had ever seen," Roland told LIFE.com, fondly recalling the "shadow" of him holding the camera. Here, LIFE.com presents a series of the finest portraits Eisenstadt has created for Roland, created at the height of her international fame.
"When I met Elsie," Roland recalled, "it was really love at first sight. He became my shadow. But he never tried to interfere in my life. No, he just keeps shooting and smiling and is happy to be with me, just like I was with him! I miss him. He can't do anything wrong with me. I trust him very much.
Asked by LIFE.com about qualities that Eisenstadt exhibits in her that other photographers don't have, Roland said: "I'm a girl and happy for her life because she accepts whatever her work brings. Just really, completely happy. Yes.
Roland appeared on the cover of LIFE seven times in the 1950s and 60s.
"At that time," she said, "when Life magazine was published weekly, it was a very important thing for a profession, and it was the best thing that an actress could ever do. It's an incredible thing. Everyone has talked about the story in LIFE Magazine with a cover attached.
In the summer of 1964, Eisenstadt visited Roland and her husband, Carlo Ponti, who lived in a home that Ponty had spent years restoring: a gorgeous, old, 50-room villa in Marino, Italy. Several of the photographs he made there are on display in this gallery. Although Roland loved the house — she called living there "happy" when Eisenstadt visited — it was sold when Ponty died in 2007.
"It's something I don't like to put up with — sad memories," she confided. "Life can be very tough when you lose someone who is so important to you, and you don't need to be surrounded by memories that are so powerful and hit you in the most unexpected moments. We have a great, great love. The more I didn't have him, the more I missed him. It's a great feeling, it's great in life and it's great in our work.
Asked if she had ever grown tired of fame, Roland erupted into musical laughter.
"Are you kidding me? I think it's amazing. [Fans] smiled at me like I was part of their own family. It's a great feeling. In a sense, when I'm at home, I feel lonely because I miss my husband. But when I'm out there, I always have great big families around me.
Sophia Rowland, 1961
Sophia Rowland, 1961
Sophia Rowland, 1961
Sophia Rowland, 1961
Sophia Rowland, 1961
Sophia Rowland, 1961
Sophia Rowland, 1961
Sophia Rowland, 1961
Sophia Rowland, 1961
Sophia Loren and her husband, Carlo Ponti, rowed near Naples, 1961.
Sophia Rowland, 1962
Sophia Rowland in her Italian villa, 1964.
Sophia Rowland in her Italian villa, 1964.
Sophia Rowland in her Italian villa, 1964.
Sophia Loren picks roses in her Italian villa, 1964.
Sophia Roland at Home, 1964
Sophia Loren and Eisenstaedt of LIFE paddle on a boat trip off the coast of Naples, 1961.