:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749x0:751x2):format(webp)/Sylvester-Stallone-Brigitte-Nielsen-6314ea48c86e49049c96734e0a3eb71f.jpg)
Brigitte Nielsen has no interest in living in the past.
In fact, the actress, 60, who welcomed her fifth child, daughter Frida, in 2018, is so happy with her life now that she says her former relationships and marriages are merely a far distant memory — if that.
“[My marriage] to Sylvester Stallone was so long ago,” she tells PEOPLE exclusively in this week’s issue. “I never think about him. Sometimes it feels like it never even happened.”
She doesn’t mean that as a slight to her ex — she just says so much has happened since their brief union between 1985-1987 that it feels like it’s another lifetime ago.
“I have no idea what that guy is up to. You move on, you know? You’re so busy doing other things that it can be like, ‘Wait, what was his name again?'” she says with a laugh, about her earlier relationships.
Stallone and Nielsen first got together while working on the films Cobra and Rocky IV, and became engaged during the production of Rocky IV. They married in 1985, but were divorced by 1987. (They later briefly reunited when Nielsen made an appearance in 2018’s Creed — Nielsen described the reunion as “professional.”)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(574x0:576x2):format(webp)/Brigitte-Nielsen-1-5b77fc5fa79943b68f3caf8c5cdfc16c.jpg)
In this week’s issue of PEOPLE, Nielsen opens up about her current happy relationship with husband Mattia Dessi, 45, and how overjoyed they are to be parents to daughter Frida, 5.
“I waited a long time for Frida,” Nielsen says, noting that she tried to conceive for 13 years with IVF before it finally happened.
While she says she’s found her true bliss on the home front, Nielsen admits she does miss acting.
“I totally miss acting,” she says. “I still get a lot of action scripts, and I’m actually producing an action movie. But I would love to do something that’s a comedy, something fun and upbeat that that’s not on location in Thailand for six months. I don’t know if that exists or would come my way, but I’m open to everything.”
She’s also hard at work on a one-woman show.
“I’ve seen some things,” she says with a laugh. “But I’m writing something that sort of makes fun of myself and the situations I’ve gotten into. Something that’s really uplifting, and also educational at the same time.”
For exclusive photos and more on Brigitte Nielsen’s story, pick up this week’s issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Monday.
Brigitte Nielsen, once known for her high-profile marriage to Sylvester Stallone, has reemerged in the public eye for far more inspiring reasons. At 60, the actress, model, and television personality is being celebrated for her confidence, grace, and authenticity. Her recent photos on social media have resonated with fans who see her as a symbol of resilience and the beauty of aging with self-assurance rather than fear.
Nielsen first rose to fame in the 1980s with roles in Red Sonja and Rocky IV, quickly becoming an international star. Her marriage to Stallone made her one of Hollywood’s most photographed figures, but the relationship ended after two years, drawing intense media attention. Despite the scrutiny, she continued to build her own career, refusing to let her personal life define her professional identity.
Following her acting success, Nielsen expanded into modeling and television, appearing in various European programs. Her 2018 return to Hollywood in Creed II was both nostalgic and meaningful, as she reprised her role as Ludmilla Drago. She described the experience as a professional and emotional full circle, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to revisit an iconic chapter of her career.
Throughout her journey, Nielsen has been candid about her struggles and personal growth. In a 2014 interview with Oprah Winfrey, she reflected on her battles with fame and self-doubt, emphasizing the strength that comes from acknowledging one’s mistakes. Her honesty inspired many who admired her willingness to reinvent herself.
Her personal life also reflects transformation. Nielsen, a mother of five, welcomed her youngest daughter, Frida, at age 54, describing motherhood later in life as both challenging and deeply fulfilling.
Today, Nielsen’s story represents empowerment through self-acceptance. She reminds audiences that true beauty and vitality come from confidence, courage, and embracing every stage of life.
