Italian film actress and television host Sandra Mondaini passed away yesterday, aged 79. She was admitted in hospital and going through treatments for the past 10 days.

Ms Mondaini appeared as an actress in 30 films between 1953 and 2008.

She was born in Milan, Italy. At the age of six months she became famous due to her father, when he launched her as a baby model for a campaign against tuberculosis.

In 1962 she got married to actor Raimondo Vianello.

Together they hosted numerous shows on Italian television, including Tante scuse, Di nuovo tante scuse, Attenti a noi due, Sandra e Raimondo Show and Stasera niente di nuovo. Between 1988 and 2007 she starred in the renowned Italian sitcom, Casa Vianello.

For many children who grew up in the 1980s she will be forever remembered as Sbirulino the clown.

Her husband Raimondo died on April 15, aged 87.

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