Carmen Llera moravia: A Life Alongside Alberto Moravia
The author and her years with Moravia: “After the news, he would leave alone. Elsa Morante was happy with me.”
Early Life and Family
Carmen Llera Moravia recalls her earliest memories as potentially false, centering around her first steps and a childhood fear of the moon. Her mother would ask her father where the moon had gone when she left, and he would respond that the moon would take her away if she weren’t good. This instilled a deep terror in young Carmen.
Born in Tudela, Navarra, spain, Carmen was the youngest of three sisters.Her older sister, Rosa, tragically drowned in a canal, leaving a lasting trauma on their family. Her father, Lorenzo, served as the mayor of a nearby town and fought with General Mola during the Spanish Civil War, but ultimately rejected a military career due to his aversion to hierarchy. Her parents met in Guernica.
Carmen describes her mother, Severina, as a tall and distinctive figure who lived with her aunt and uncle, Carmen and Moisés. There’s a possibility of Jewish ancestry on her mother’s side, requiring conversion or concealment to remain in Spain during that period – becoming “marranos.”
growing Up in Francoist Spain
Carmen’s early life unfolded within the context of Francoist Spain, though she was relatively shielded from its full impact. At ten years old, she was sent to a Catholic boarding school run by the Sisters of the Company of Maria, the female counterpart to the Jesuits, located near Loyola. Her education included attending the Tour de France, where she passionately cheered for Poulidor.
As Spain transitioned from the dictatorship, Carmen became actively involved with socialist youth movements, connecting with figures like Alfonso Guerra and Enrique Baron.In November 1977,she moved to Italy as a reader at the University of Palermo. During her travels, she encountered Salvo Lima, who offered her a ride, and julian Marias, the father of Javier Marias, a friend she continues to cherish.
Meeting and Marrying Alberto Moravia
Carmen’s path intertwined with Alberto Moravia in 1980.She met him while visiting Graziela Chiarcossi,a cousin of Pasolini and wife of Vincenzo Cerami,in Sabaudia. They bonded over their shared interest in director Luis Buñuel, whom Moravia had honored at the Venice Film Festival. Their connection deepened, and they became inseparable.
They married on january 27, 1986, following the death of Elsa Morante, from whom Moravia had not yet obtained a divorce. Carmen was 32 at the time, while Moravia was 78.
Carmen recalls that Moravia’s relationship with Elsa Morante was marked by respect, and Morante expressed happiness to see a young Spanish woman in his life.
Previous Marriage and Personal Philosophy
Before meeting Moravia, Carmen had been married at 18 to her philosophy professor, with whom she had a son, Héctor. Her father strongly opposed the marriage and even attempted suicide in protest. While she acknowledges it may have been a youthful infatuation, the experience left a lasting impact.
Carmen’s book, “Uomini” (Men), explores her views on love, stating she’s never been captivated by it.She emphasizes that her love for Moravia stemmed from his acceptance of her true self.
A Life of Independence and Reflection
Despite a brief period of tension, with moravia lamenting her absences, Carmen embraced her independence, preferring solitude and travel. She also recounts a past relationship with Walid Jumblatt, a prominent figure in Lebanese politics, meeting him first at Olaf palme’s funeral in Stockholm.
She firmly dismisses rumors of an intimate relationship with Moravia during her time with Jumblatt, emphasizing Moravia’s introspective nature and propensity for drawing inspiration from jealousy. As for being jealous herself, she notes she lived with a man frequently sought by other women and found comfort in her own independence, rising at 5 am to start her day.
Carmen paints a portrait of Moravia as a complex character—timid yet witty—who delighted in unconventional behavior and possessed a unique charm. She recalls his modified car, a Renault with reversed pedals due to his disability, and his playful defiance of parking rules.
Loss, Politics, and beliefs
Moravia passed away while shaving, and Carmen, who was in Morocco at the time, rushed to rome to be with him. She reflects on her experiences with political figures like Bettino Craxi and acknowledges her admiration for Israeli writers like Amos Oz. When discussing the current conflicts in the middle East,she expresses concern over conflating Hamas with the Palestinian people and voices her disapproval of Benjamin Netanyahu,while emphasizing the need for Western support for Israel.
She freely admits meeting Dominique Strauss-Kahn and acknowledges his intelligence and competence,lamenting the self-destruction of a promising political career.Regarding a rumored affair with Italian entertainer Fiorello, she downplays it as a misunderstanding—a simple offer of a motorcycle ride.
Politically,Carmen leans to the left and expresses her admiration for Elly Schlein,praising her unconventional appearance. On the matter of faith, she dismisses religious belief.
Ultimately, Carmen reflects on her enduring love for Moravia, declaring that he was the only person who never tried to change her. She maintains that their connection was profound, and she has found contentment in solitude following his death.
