[1] She appeared in three non-speaking roles in her son Francis Ford Coppola's films, One from the Heart, The Godfather Part II, and The Godfather Part III.

[2] She was known for her Italian cooking and published a cookbook called Mama Coppola's Pasta Book in 2000.

[5][6][7] Born in New York City, she was one of six children of Anna (née Giaquinto) and composer Francesco Pennino, both from Naples, Italy.

[10][2] Under her maiden name, Pennino, Italia Coppola was a lyricist known for writing "Non ci Lasceremo Mai", Connie's wedding song from The Godfather, the Sicilian lyrics for "Ninna-Nanna A Michele", consisting of "The Godfather Waltz" and Michael's Theme, composed by Nino Rota and sung by Nino Palermo in The Godfather Part II soundtrack, "Come Back To Love (the Chief's Death)" from Apocalypse Now, and songs from Carmine Coppola themes from Napoleon, The Black Stallion, and The Outsiders.

[11][12][13][14][15] Italia Pennino Coppola is buried in San Fernando Mission Cemetery alongside her husband.