Celebrating WHM: Chelo Alonso

(*Celebrating Women's History Month*)

Today, we honor the beautiful Chelo Alonso.

Chelo Alonso was born Isabella Garcia in Central Lugareño, Camagüey, Cuba on April 10, 1933. 

Chelo became a professional dancer in Havana at the age of 17 and soon became popular at Cuba's National Theatre. She took her talents to Folies Bergère in 1957 and became known as "The Cuban H-Bomb". She was also billed the "new Josephine Baker". Ms. Alonso's combination of Afro-Cuban movement and exotic dance made her a hit no matter what part of the world she toured. 

Ms. Alonso would go on to be most popular for her work in Italian Cinema. She began her film career in 1959, playing mostly dancing temptresses or evil queens. She worked in almost 20 films throughout her career, one of her last being an uncredited role in The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. 

After her husband's passing in 1986, Chelo Alonso moved to Tuscany, Italy where she retired from film and began operating a cat breeding business and a four-star hotel/restaurant.

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Links:

Son of Samson clip

IMDb

Wikipedia