Monica Belluci and Tim Burton | Source: Getty Images

Monica Bellucci's Husband: The Actress Was Married Twice and Has Recently Sparked Dating Rumors with Tim Burton

Jun 07, 2023

01:15 P.M.

Monica Belluci has maintained an optimistic and liberating outlook on her love life. The longtime actress bears no ill feelings toward her former spouses and has reportedly given love a chance a few times since her last marriage.

Italian native Monica Belluci worked in the legal sector before pursuing an entertainment career full-time. She started modeling as a student at the University of Perugia to raise funds for her tuition.

She moved to Milan in the late 1980s and signed with Elite Model Management. It wasn't long before she joined the TV and film industry, debuting onscreen as Adrian's lover in the 1991 Italian film "Vita coi figli."

Monica Bellucci poses at the Tim Burton Lumiere Award ceremony during the 14th Film Festival Lumiere on October 21, 2022, in Lyon, France | Source: Getty Images

Her first American film was "Bram Stoker's Dracula," portraying Dracula's bride in 1992. Belluci continued acting and modeling in the following years. She played Lisa in the 1996 drama mystery "The Apartment," a role that catapulted her to stardom.

Her other staples include "Malena," "The Matrix Reloaded," "The Matrix Revolutions," with Keanu Reeves and Carrie Anne Moss, "Irréversible," "Shoot Em Up," and "The Passion of the Christ." In addition to her acting prowess, she has long been praised for her beauty.

The actress has been frequently included in lists of those considered the most beautiful women in the world. But outside of her career and the applause she has received, Belluci consistently found happiness in her personal life.

Monica Bellucci poses for photos on December 6, 2022, in New York City | Source: Getty Images

Monica Bellucci Was Married Twice, Yet Her Marriages Were Very Different

Belluci's first husband was French-Italian photographer Claudio Basso. The pair had met in 1987, and it was love at first sight. Basso was immediately enamored with her beauty and saw great potential in her as a model.

The pair married in 1990; however, their union only lasted six months. The actress doesn't speak much about her first marriage and briefly mentioned it during an interview. She moved on to actor Vincent Cassel in the mid-1990s.

Monica Bellucci & Vincent Cassel during Toronto 2001 - The Brotherhood of the Wolf Portraits at Hotel Inter-Continental in Toronto, Canada | Source: Getty Images

Cassel and Belluci were co-stars in "The Apartment." They dated for several years before tying the knot in 1999 and worked on several more onscreen projects, including "Irréversible."

Belluci once admitted that she didn't know how long she and Cassel would last and would have been happy if it was forever. But even if they separated, she believed their love for their daughters, Deva and Leonie, meant her love for Cassel was forever.

Monica Bellucci and Vincent Cassel are pictured during the 55th Cannes Film Festival in May 2002, in Cannes, France | Source: Getty Images

The former couple separated amicably in August 2013, as confirmed by their representatives that year. Despite both of her marriages ending, Belluci reflected positively on them, saying:

"I thank my two husbands for what they gave me and what they taught me about life, in an unconscious and different way."

Monica Bellucci and Vincent Cassel pose as they arrive at the Cesar Film Awards 2009 at the Theatre du Chatelet on February 27, 2009, in Paris, France | Source: Getty Imags

Monica Belucci Reportedly Had Several Brief Flings

In 2009, reports surfaced claiming Belluci was romantically involved with Telman Ismailov. This was after she attended the launch of the Mardan Palace, a luxury resort, alongside the businessman in Antalya, Turkey.

Musicians, including Mariah Carey, Seal, and Tom Jones, were invited to perform at the prestigious event. However, the rumors of a romance between Ismailov and Belluci were never addressed.

Nicolas Lefebvre and Monica Bellucci are pictured at the "Curiosites" Rose de Ganay exhibition Preview at 4 rue de Visconti on June 6, 2019, in Paris, France | Source: Getty Images

Several years after her divorce from Cassel, Belluci reportedly moved on with sculptor and former model Nicholas Lefebvre. The pair made their first public appearance in March 2019 at the Paris Fashion Week Chanel show, modeled by Cara Delevigne and Penelope Cruz, among others.

Belluci had hinted at being in a relationship in previous interviews dating back to 2017, and reports suggest she referred to Lefebvre. It's unclear when it ended, but reports allege they separated the year they debuted their romance.

Monica Bellucci and Nicolas Lefebvre are pictured at the Chanel show as part of the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Fall/Winter 2019/2020 on March 5, 2019, in Paris, France | Source: Getty Images

Monica Bellucci and Director Tim Burton Spotted Kissing, Fueling Dating Speculations

In February 2023, news broke that Belluci and acclaimed filmmaker Tim Burton had been quietly dating for four months. They had first met in 2006 at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes.

Their romance is believed to have begun in October 2022, after they attended the Lumière Film Festival. Following the revelation of their relationship, they were seen sharing a passionate kiss on Valentine's Day, 2023.