Dutch actress, Sylvia Kristel, became an international sex symbol after she played the title role "Emmanuelle," a 1974 erotic film. On Wednesday, she died in the Netherlands at age 60.
The New York Times reported that the cause of her death was cancer. Her agency, Features Creative Management confirmed in a statement on its website about her death but failed to mention the location where she died.
Kristel was born in Utrecht, the Netherlands on Sept. 28, 1952 and grew up with her parents. She worked as a secretary before becoming a model and won Miss TV Holland at the age of 20.
Her character in the movie as Emmanuelle was the wife of a French diplomat in Bangkok who looked for sexual activities to keep her entertained. The film featured simulated sex scenes shot in soft focus and was considered as soft porn. According to the Times, AVN reported that the film earned more than $100 million.
She went on to feature in mainstream films like 1975's "Playing With Fire," 1977's Alice or the Last Escapade," 1981's Lady Chatterley's Lover," and many more.
The actress wrote in her 2006 autobiography, "Undressing Emmanuelle," that she was disappointed and a little hurt" that her more serious films went unappreciated.
"I was dressed but people preferred me naked," Kristel wrote.
The dark-haired model, beauty contest winner, and actress was married and divorced twice. She is survived by her son, Arthur Kristel.
