In reminiscing about this extraordinary adventure, I cannot help but marvel at the life I’ve been fortunate enough to lead. From rubbing shoulders with the likes of Fidel Castro in his very own abode to witnessing an intimate game of basketball with Cuba’s elite, it was truly a week that defied all expectations.
I’ve reached the milestone of 80 years old and celebrated my 60th year in the entertainment industry – it still seems unreal to me as I reflect on this journey. My career has been primarily focused on public relations, working alongside the most prominent figures in the industry during their heyday. The Hollywood of yesteryear was shrouded in a web of secrets, yet I often find myself yearning for the enigma that surrounded icons such as Paul Newman, Robert Mitchum, Ali MacGraw, Diahann Carroll, Charlton Heston, and many more. Their allure lay primarily in their work and their strategic management of the press to promote their latest projects. This veil of mystery allowed me to orchestrate one of my most extraordinary accomplishments for a client, when I accompanied actress and photojournalist Gina Lollobrigida to Cuba in 1974 for an exclusive photoshoot and interview with Fidel Castro. As I watched Castro play basketball in an empty stadium, I couldn’t help but ponder how a girl from a small town in Virginia ended up in such an extraordinary setting.
In the scorching summer of 1964, following my graduation from Emerson College, I hopped in a car and navigated my way to New York City. Upon arrival, I secured my first job at WNEW–TV for the popular children’s program, ‘Wonderama,’ hosted by Sonny Fox. My responsibilities spanned from booking talent to managing the audience, not forgetting the occasional trek up into the attic to fetch the daily prizes. The experience ignited my passion for working with celebrity guests, leading me to consider this path as a potential career choice.
1968 marked the start of my career in public relations, where I worked as a radio and television publicist for United Artists. This job was a dream come true, offering me unique chances as one of the few women in the office. I was often invited to screenings and focus groups to share my insights as the “female perspective.” I collaborated with exceptional directors and producers on films such as “Midnight Cowboy,” “Women in Love,” “Yellow Submarine,” “Fellini’s Satyricon,” and many more. My journey continued at MGM for two years, though it was not our most creative period. Nevertheless, there were memorable experiences with movies like “Westworld” and “Soylent Green.
In 1974, I stepped into the gaming world at Rogers & Cowen. Over time, I climbed the ranks and became President, managing our bustling New York office. My words fall short to capture my experiences there. We were the go-to for industry titans and had the privilege of showcasing some of the most iconic films from the ’70s and ’80s. One moment could find me treading those iconic Philadelphia steps alongside Sylvester Stallone for the Rocky premiere, collaborating with Paul Newman to launch Newman’s Own, making a significant difference in raising funds for cancer camps for kids, or working hand-in-hand with the unforgettable Bette Midler during her Oscar campaign for The Rose.
Nothing prepared me for my trip to Cuba with my lifelong friend Gina Lollobrigida. I met Gina in 1968 while starting out at United Artists. We worked together on Buona Sera, Mrs. Campbell and became fast friends. She’s also the reason I met my husband, journalist Richard Valeriani. We were at dinner in DC with journalists and power players and Richard kept speaking Italian with Gina. She wanted to practice her English, so we changed seats, and there he was. We were married for 38 years before his passing in 2018.
Known as “the most beautiful woman in the world,” Gina found herself moving beyond the role of an ingenue and pursuing various artistic endeavors, one of which was excelling as a talented photographer. In 1974, I collaborated with her to propose a series of articles titled “The Ten Most Fascinating Men in the World” to Ladies Home Journal. Regrettably, it would be several more years before lists focusing on fascinating women would become commonplace. Gina was responsible for photographing and interviewing our subjects, while I handled the writing for the monthly feature. The debut issue showcased Neil Armstrong, followed by Henry Kissinger in the second issue. These articles were well-received, and Gina expressed a desire to photograph Fidel Castro in Cuba.
I made contact with someone in Washington D.C., who facilitated a meeting with the Cuban ambassador for me. I proposed an idea, and it turned out that Castro was eager to be photographed by Gina. Instead of going directly to Cuba, Gina traveled from Italy, while I routed through Mexico City since U.S. citizens can’t officially travel there.
In Havana, I encountered Gina along with her film team consisting of a cameraman and sound technician. They escorted us to a stunning residence situated beyond the city limits. Upon entering, my thoughts lingered on the possibility that this property might have been confiscated by the government. Throughout our stay lasting a week, our meals were delivered, and we rarely ventured outside except for excursions organized by Castro or his associates.
The following morning, Castro arrived at our abode, his demeanor noticeably jittery around Gina. With her camera and sound crew present, she strategically positioned the microphone within her push-up bra, causing him a moment of awkwardness when he caught sight of it. I suspect this wasn’t merely an oversight on her part. Given his affection for Hollywood films and obvious recognition of who she was, it became apparent that our unexpected visit had been granted for good reason.
As a captivated traveler, I was escorted by our amiable guide Pepe, through meticulously planned tours around the vibrant city of Havana. In instances when Castro wasn’t present, Pepe regaled us with fascinating tidbits about the city. We marveled at exquisite museums, art galleries, impeccable public transportation systems, ballet schools, and even visited the renowned Tropicana – Havana’s iconic night club. The locals were warm and welcoming wherever we went, but the experience felt slightly orchestrated, as if tailored exclusively for us.
On the fourth day’s close, Gina spoke with Castro. Although he employed a translator, it appeared he understood more English than he was willing to acknowledge. Towards the end of the conversation, I mentioned that I had heard he enjoyed playing basketball. He gave a nod but remained silent in response.
Later in the night, a forceful knock echoed from our front door. It was nearly ten, and everyone was sound asleep. We hesitated whether to respond or not, but the knocks grew increasingly insistent. To our relief, it turned out to be Pepe, who informed us he was taking us to Castro. Gina and I felt apprehensive, fearing we may have done something wrong and could face severe repercussions.
Pepe took us to a massive indoor sports complex where Castro, accompanied by four other players wearing track suits, was present. All these individuals towered over Castro, who himself was quite tall, and their athletic builds suggested they could play professionally in the NBA. In contrast, the opposing team wore t-shirts and white gym shorts, appearing shorter and possibly older gentlemen, potentially members of his cabinet. The match primarily involved Castro’s team passing him the ball until he scored a basket.
I had a passion for basketball and attended numerous games featuring the Knicks. However, Castro wasn’t allowed to defend them directly. Instead, he played aggressive defense against them. At one instance, he committed an unsportsmanlike foul, sending his opponent flying across the court. In that moment, caught up in the heat of the game, I blurted out “foul” at the top of my voice, just like any devoted Knicks fan would do. The entire crowd fell silent, and for a moment, I worried if I had overstepped boundaries. Castro then looked up at me and acknowledged, “Yankee is correct. He gets two free throws now.” From that point on, I remained quiet during the rest of the game.
After the week had elapsed, we parted ways from Cuba on different flights. The story didn’t hit the headlines until the photographs and article were published in Ladies Home Journal. It was a significant scoop that solidified Gina’s status as a photojournalist. I shared my connections with Barbara Walters, which eventually resulted in her renowned interview with Castro in 1977. Surprisingly, she never acknowledged me with so much as a bouquet of flowers. The role of a publicist, still relevant today, continues to resonate. I wouldn’t trade a single day of it.
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2024-10-01 20:26