Anna Falchi was born Anna Kristiina Palomaki, on April 22, 1972, in Tampere, Finland. Her mother, Kaarina Palomaki Sisko, is Finnish, while Anna's father, Benito "Tito" Falchi, is from Romagna, Italy. Growing up in Italy, Anna was a bit of a tomboy, and had a fervent imagination; these characteristics became part of her childhood imaginary friend, whom she called "Puff." Puff also gave Anna a sense of stability since her father abandoned her and her mother, and Anna had to work at making friends. Even now, Anna and her father remain estranged.

Anna's mother enrolled her in a modeling school in the 1980s, and her career was about to take off. In 1989, she entered the Miss Italy competition and won the title of Miss Cinema. That victory brought Anna to the attention o ..[Full version]