Sara Montiel Dies: 5 Things To Know About The First Spanish Actress To Make It In Hollywood

She lived a life of glamour, sin and cigarettes, but on Monday morning, Spanish actress and singer Sara Montiel said goodbye. She was 85 years old.

Montiel acted in over 50 movies and even more records. She wowed the likes of Burt Lancaster, Gary Cooper and Ernest Hemingway. The "eternal Manchega," as she was known, also played an important part in the cultural transition from the Franco years to the more open, censorship-free democracy era.

To remember her, here are 5 facts to know about "Saritisima."

1. Her real name was Maria Antonia Alejandra Abad Fernandez

She was born in Ciudad Real, a province bordering Madrid, of a peasant and a door-to-door beautician. In fashion with the times, she was christened Maria Antonia Alejandra, and she was credited as such in her first movie, at age 16. When she transitioned to more adult roles, she picked a professional name to detach the characters from her family life.

2. She was as famous for her work as for her busy love life

Montiel had a very tumultuous personal life, and married four times: director Anthony Mann (1957-1961), businessman Jose Vicente Ramirez (1964-1970), entrepreneur Jose Tous (1979-1992) and singer Tony Hernandez (2002-2005). She reportedly had affairs with many other preeminent man, such as Ernest Hemingway and Nobel-prize Miguel Mihura.

3. She was unable to have children

As much as she wanted to be a mother, she realized she was not able to conceive. She and husband Jose Tous adopted Thais, born in 1979, and Zeus, born in 1983, who she called the true loves of her life. Thais was with her mother when she passed away.

4. She has a bar in her honor in Barcelona

Barcelona bar "La Concha" is dedicated to her, and has vintage photos of her all over the walls. She also has a museum in her hometown, built in a restored windmill.

5. She smoked Habana cigars

Perpetual smoker, she had a penchant for Cubans. One of her most famous songs, "Fumando espero" (While I wait I smoke), honors her favorite vice.