Anna Kanakis (Greek: Άννα Κανάκη; 1 February 1962 – 20 November 2023) was an Italian actress and model.

Title Miss Italy 1977
Major competition(s)

• Miss Italy 1977(Winner)
• Miss World 1977
• Miss Universe 1981
• Miss Europe 1981 (2nd Runner-Up)

Early life

Anna Kanakis was born in Messina on 1 February 1962 to a Greek father from Crete and a mother from Messina.

Kanakis was Miss Italy in 1977 at only 15 years old. She made her last appearance in 1981.

Career

Acting

Kanakis worked in cinema as early as 1980, in a couple of minor films before picking up more recognized credits in 1983. By 1989, her career transitioned to consistent work on television in series and features.

Literary works

Kanakis wrote You're So Mine When You Sleep.

Politics

Kanakis had a stint as national leader of Culture and Entertainment in the Democratic Union for the Republic.

Personal life and death

Kanakis was previously married in 1981 to composer Carlo Simonetti. The marriage only lasted few years after 1981. From 2004, she was married to Marco Merati Foscarini, a descendant of one of the last doges of Venice.

Kanakis had no children. 

She died on 20 November 2023, at the age of 61.