When Isabella Rossellini stepped away from her Lancôme contract at 41, the beauty industry told her she was too old. Three decades later, she is farming on Long Island, acting in independent films, and building a career entirely on her own terms.
Born: June 18, 1952 · Parents: Ingrid Bergman and Roberto Rossellini · Nationality: Italian and American · Occupation: Actress, model, filmmaker, farmer · Notable film: Blue Velvet (1986) · Lancôme contract: 1982–1996
Quick snapshot
- Self identifies as heterosexual (Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia)
- Married Martin Scorsese and Jonathan Wiedemann (Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia)
- Has a fraternal twin sister Isotta (Golden Globes, the film and television awards organization)
- Mother Ingrid Bergman died of breast cancer (Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia)
- Exact nature of her relationship with Gary Oldman
- Current romantic status (not publicly discussed)
- Precise net worth (estimates vary widely)
- Full details of her early life between Italy and Sweden
- Born June 18, 1952, in Rome (Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia)
- Began Lancôme contract in 1982 (Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia)
- Breakthrough role in Blue Velvet (1986) (Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia)
- Established Mama Farm in the 2000s (Los Angeles Times, the major West Coast newspaper)
- Continuing to act in films and series
- Ongoing organic farming and environmental advocacy
- Potential new film and documentary projects
- Author and filmmaker pursuits
Isabella Rossellini’s official biography contains a handful of specific facts that anchor her remarkable lifespan:
| Full Name | Isabella Fiorella Elettra Giovanna Rossellini (Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia) |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | June 18, 1952 |
| Place of Birth | Rome, Italy |
| Nationality | Italian, American (dual) |
| Occupation | Actress, model, filmmaker, author, farmer |
| Notable Film | Blue Velvet (1986) |
| Spouses | Martin Scorsese (1979–1983), Jonathan Wiedemann (1983–1986) |
| Children | One daughter, Elettra Rossellini Wiedemann |
| Parent | Ingrid Bergman (mother), Roberto Rossellini (father) |
Is Isabella Rossellini LGBTQ?
What has Isabella Rossellini said about her sexuality?
- According to Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia, Isabella Rossellini has stated she is not LGBTQ and identifies as heterosexual.
- She has been married to men and had relationships with men throughout her public life.
Does she identify as heterosexual?
- No credible public evidence or self-identification suggests otherwise.
Rossellini’s relationships have consistently been with men, from Martin Scorsese to Gary Oldman. No credible source suggests an LGBTQ identity.
The implication is clear: despite persistent fan speculation, Rossellini has never publicly identified as anything other than heterosexual.
Did Isabella Rossellini ever marry?
How many husbands did Isabella Rossellini have?
- Rossellini has been married twice. Her first husband was filmmaker Martin Scorsese (1979–1983). Her second was model Jonathan Wiedemann (1983–1986). (Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia)
Did Gary Oldman have a relationship with Isabella Rossellini? Is Gary Oldman married to her?
- She reportedly had a relationship with actor Gary Oldman in the 1990s, but never married him.
- Gary Oldman has been married to other women, not Isabella Rossellini.
Rossellini’s two marriages each lasted about four years, reflecting a pattern of intense but brief partnerships before she chose a different kind of life.
What this means: Rossellini’s romantic life has been a subject of public curiosity, but the concrete record covers two marriages and a reported relationship with Oldman.
Who is Isabella Rossellini’s twin sister?
Does Isabella Rossellini have siblings?
- Isabella has a fraternal twin sister named Isotta Ingrid Rossellini. (Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia)
- She also has siblings from her parents’ other relationships.
What disease did Ingrid Bergman have?
- Her mother, the legendary actress Ingrid Bergman, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1973 and died in 1982 at the age of 67. (Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia)
The pattern: the Rossellini twins have lived remarkably parallel but distinct lives, while the loss of their mother to breast cancer at a relatively young age marked the family deeply.
What does Isabella Rossellini do now?
Is Isabella Rossellini still modeling?
Is she still acting?
- She runs an organic farm called Mama Farm on Long Island, New York. (Harper’s Bazaar, the fashion and culture magazine)
- She still takes occasional modeling and acting roles, including a recent appearance in La Chimera. (El País, the Spanish-language daily newspaper)
- She is a filmmaker, author, and advocate for aging gracefully.
The beauty industry’s loss was the soil’s gain, but Rossellini’s story is a reminder that reinvention often requires leaving a very lucrative table behind.
The implication: Rossellini has successfully traded the set for the soil, proving that life after a traditional modeling career can be richer and more grounded.
What disease did Ingrid Bergman have?
How did Ingrid Bergman die?
- Ingrid Bergman died from complications of breast cancer in 1982, after a nine-year battle with the disease. (Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia)
Why this matters: Ingrid Bergman’s illness and death directly shaped Rossellini’s perspective on life and the urgency of making work that matters.
Isabella Rossellini: A Life in Highlights
Her journey from Rome to Hollywood and back to the farm covers several distinct chapters:
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1952 | Born in Rome, Italy. (Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia) |
| 1979 | Married Martin Scorsese. (Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia) |
| 1982 | Began modeling for Lancôme. (Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia) |
| 1983–1986 | Married Jonathan Wiedemann. (Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia) |
| 1986 | Released Blue Velvet. (Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia) |
| 1992 | Appeared in Death Becomes Her. (Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia) |
| 1990s | Relationship with Gary Oldman. |
| 2000s | Started organic farm in New York. |
The catch: a career that could have ended at 40 instead spans seven decades of reinvention, much like other golden-era figures such as Gregory Peck and Lauren Bacall.
What We Know and What We Don’t
Confirmed facts
- Self-identifies as heterosexual. (Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia)
- Has a fraternal twin sister. (Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia)
- Married Scorsese and Wiedemann. (Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia)
- Mother died of breast cancer. (Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia)
- Runs a farm in New York. (Harper’s Bazaar, the fashion and culture magazine)
What’s unclear
- Exact nature of her relationship with Gary Oldman.
- Current romantic partner (if any).
- Precise net worth (estimates vary).
- Full details of her early life between Italy and Sweden.
- Specific details of her ongoing film projects.
The balance: Rossellini’s public life is well-documented, but she maintains a fierce privacy around her personal relationships.
In Her Own Words
“I think the idea of aging is a cultural thing. I’m not afraid of it.”
– Isabella Rossellini, in an interview with the Los Angeles Times (2023)
She has described her farm life as wonderful, stating she grows vegetables and raises chickens. The throughline: whether discussing aging or agriculture, Rossellini speaks with the same grounded clarity that has defined her second act.
The Final Take
For any woman navigating an industry that often discards talent after a certain age, Rossellini’s path offers a concrete blueprint: swap contracts for soil, redefine your worth through your own passions, and never stop making things. For the actress who was once told she was too old to model, the choice is clear: she will write her own script, on her farm, in her own time.
en.wikipedia.org, pt.wikipedia.org, oliverpeoples.com, imdb.com, libero.it, mymovies.it, townandcountrymag.com, anothermag.com, goldenglobes.com
For a comprehensive look at Isabella Rossellinis early life and career, readers can explore the biographical details that shaped her path from model to actress and farmer.
Frequently asked questions
What is Isabella Rossellini’s net worth?
Her net worth is not publicly verified. Estimates range widely based on her modeling, acting, and farming income.
How many children does Isabella Rossellini have?
One daughter, Elettra Rossellini Wiedemann, born in 1983 during her marriage to Jonathan Wiedemann.
What is Isabella Rossellini’s most famous role?
Her breakout role as Dorothy Vallens in David Lynch’s Blue Velvet (1986).
Did Isabella Rossellini win any awards?
She won the Nastri d’Argento for Best Supporting Actress in 2024 for La Chimera and received an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Blue Velvet.
Does she continue to act in films and television?
Yes, she remains active in acting with recent roles in La Chimera (2023) and Damsel (2024).
Does Isabella Rossellini have a farm?
Yes, she owns Mama Farm in Bellport, New York, where she grows organic vegetables and raises livestock.
What was her marriage to Martin Scorsese like?
They were married from 1979 to 1983. She has described the relationship as intense but ultimately not meant to last.
How tall is Isabella Rossellini?
She is reported to be 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 m) tall.
Daniel Harper is Editor-in-Chief at Aussie Report, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.