Brigitte Nielsen

Biography

Brigitte Nielsen, originally named Gitte Nielsen, was born on July 15, 1963, in Denmark. She is a multi-talented actress, model, singer, and television personality whose career took off in the mid-1980s. Nielsen gained early recognition through her roles in iconic films such as "Red Sonja" and "Rocky IV," the latter of which featured her marriage to Hollywood star Sylvester Stallone from 1985 to 1987. Their union was followed by her appearance alongside him in the action film "Cobra" (1986). Following their highly publicized split, she was linked to NFL player Mark Gastineau between 1988 and 1990.

Nielsen’s striking height of 6 feet (1.82 meters) earned her the nickname "Amazon," a term she embraced and popularized in the mid-80s. She also starred as the villain in "Beverly Hills Cop II" (1987) and took on the role of the Black Witch in the beloved Italian fantasy series "Fantaghirò" during the 1990s. In addition to her film work, she transitioned into reality television, notably appearing in "The Surreal Life," where she began a relationship with rapper Flavor Flav, and "Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew" in 2008, focusing on recovery from addiction.

Over her life, Nielsen has been married five times and has five children. She revealed in her 2011 memoir that she had an affair with Arnold Schwarzenegger during the filming of "Red Sonja," a claim he confirmed years later. Fluent in Danish, English, German, and Italian, Nielsen remains a prominent figure in pop culture.