A Radiance That Only Grows With Time
Looking stunning in your twenties may come naturally, but carrying that same mesmerizing beauty and confidence into your late forties is something rare. Elisabetta Canalis is living proof that age only adds layers of elegance and allure. With a career that has stretched across television, magazine covers, the runway, and even Hollywood, she has left a lasting mark not only for her beauty but for her versatility and determination.
Early Life: Sardinia’s Brightest Spark
Born on September 12, 1978, in Sassari, Sardinia, Elisabetta grew up in a family that valued learning and discipline. Her father, Cesare, was a radiologist at the University of Sassari, while her mother, Bruna, was a respected teacher. Alongside her brother Luigi, Elisabetta’s childhood was filled with curiosity and ambition.
As a teenager, she balanced academics with artistic interests, eventually studying foreign languages at the University of Milan. Yet, the pull of the spotlight was too strong to ignore. By the time she was 21, she traded classrooms for cameras, stepping into Italy’s vibrant entertainment scene—a leap of faith that would forever change her life.
Video : Elisabetta Canalis for Harper’s Bazaar Arabia September 2011
Breaking Into Fame: Striscia la Notizia
Elisabetta’s breakthrough came in 1999, when she joined the satirical TV show Striscia la Notizia as a dancer. Her charisma and radiant energy quickly won audiences over, and she became a household name in Italy. Imagine being barely 21 and captivating millions on national television—that was her reality.
Her time on Striscia wasn’t just about entertainment; it was the launchpad for a career that would span acting, modeling, and presenting, establishing her as one of Italy’s most recognizable faces.
Acting and Hosting: A Versatile Talent
Refusing to be boxed in, Elisabetta expanded her career into acting and hosting. She replaced Michelle Hunziker in Love Bugs 2 (2005), appeared in films like Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo (2005) and Virgin Territory (2007), and even made her mark on American TV with a role in Leverage (2010).
One of her crowning achievements came in 2011, when she co-hosted the Sanremo Music Festival, one of Italy’s most prestigious cultural events. Standing on that stage, she proved her ability to carry the weight of a massive live audience with grace and wit.
A Career in Modeling: Global Fame and Covers
While acting and TV gave Elisabetta recognition in Italy, modeling catapulted her to international fame. She graced the covers of magazines like Maxim, Vanity Fair, and GQ, working with designers such as Roberto Cavalli.
Her 2002 GQ photoshoot with close friend Maddalena Corvaglia became iconic, embodying the bold, confident energy of early-2000s fashion. By 2003, she was the star of the Max calendar, further solidifying her role as a fashion icon.
In 2011, she also competed on the U.S. version of Dancing with the Stars, introducing her charm to American audiences and proving her appeal reached far beyond Italy.
Personal Life: Love, Motherhood, and Resilience
Elisabetta’s personal life has often made headlines. She was engaged to Italian footballer Christian Vieri and later entered a high-profile relationship with actor George Clooney (2009–2011), which placed her firmly in the international spotlight.
In 2014, she married orthopedic surgeon Brian Perri, with whom she welcomed her daughter, Skyler Eva, in 2015. Despite their separation in 2023, Elisabetta has continued to embrace life with resilience, now in a relationship with kickboxer Georgian Cimpeanu.
Her devotion to her daughter is clear, as she often shares heartwarming moments of motherhood while balancing her demanding career. She’s also a proud dog mom, with her bull terrier Vittorio frequently making appearances on her social media.
Video : Elisabetta Canalis en séance photo à Cannes
Passions and Advocacy: Beyond the Spotlight
Elisabetta is more than an entertainer; she’s an advocate. As a UNICEF Italy goodwill ambassador, she has lent her voice to children’s causes and humanitarian projects. She’s equally passionate about animal welfare, using her platform to promote pet adoption and responsible ownership.
A fitness enthusiast, Elisabetta has also embraced kickboxing, often sharing workouts that inspire her followers to live healthier, more active lives. Her ability to blend glamour with authenticity makes her not only admired but deeply relatable.
Where She Stands Today
At 47 in 2025, Elisabetta Canalis is thriving. Splitting her time between Los Angeles and Italy, she balances family, career, and personal passions with remarkable grace. With a net worth estimated at $13 million, she’s built a life that reflects both her professional success and her entrepreneurial spirit.
Recently, she has expanded into the world of lifestyle and fitness branding, using her influence to inspire women to embrace wellness and confidence at any age. Social media remains her stage, where fans celebrate her journey with hashtags like #ElisabettaCanalis.
Conclusion: A Goddess of Grace and Strength
Elisabetta Canalis’s journey from a Sardinian dreamer to an international star is a story of beauty, determination, and reinvention. From dazzling Italy with her debut on Striscia la Notizia, to conquering Hollywood films and global magazine covers, she’s proven time and again that she’s more than a pretty face.
At nearly 50, she’s still radiant, still captivating, and still evolving. Her roles as a mother, advocate, and entrepreneur show that true beauty lies not only in appearance but in resilience, passion, and the courage to keep moving forward. Elisabetta Canalis isn’t just an icon of elegance—she’s an enduring reminder that age is nothing but another chapter in a story of timeless allure.
