Gina Lollobrigida, the Italian film star once dubbed the most beautiful woman in the world, says that she was sexually molested twice during her career.

The former actress, now aged 90, told an Italian television programme that the first incident occurred when she was just 19.

"I've also suffered molestation, in fact more than that, and I didn't say anything about it at the time," she told the programme on Wednesday night. "I should have complained but I didn't have the courage."

She made the revelation after being asked what she thought about the Harvey Weinstein scandal, which has led to a flood of actresses around the world alleging that they suffered sexual abuse, harassment and even rape.

"The first time I was 19, I was still going to school. The second time, well I'd rather not talk about it. I was married and I was starting out in films."