Gianni Agnelli
Giovanni "Gianni" Agnelli Cavaliere di Gran Croce OMRI OML OMCA CGVM CMG (Italian: [ˈdʒanni aɲˈɲɛlli]; 12 March 1921 – 24 January 2003), nicknamed L'Avvocato ("The Lawyer"), was an Italian industrialist and principal shareholder of Fiat. As the head of Fiat, he controlled 4.4% of Italy's GDP, 3.1% of its industrial workforce, and 16.5% of its industrial investment in research. He was the richest man in modern Italian history.
Senator for life Giovanni Agnelli OMRI OML OMCA CGVM CMG | |
|---|---|
Gianni Agnelli in 1983 | |
| Member of the Senate of the Republic | |
| Life tenure 1 June 1991 – 24 January 2003 | |
| Appointed by | Francesco Cossiga |
| President of Confindustria | |
| In office 30 May 1974 – 23 July 1976 | |
| Preceded by | Renato Lombardi |
| Succeeded by | Guido Carli |
| Mayor of Villar Perosa | |
| In office 6 May 1945 – 16 June 1980 | |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Alberto Castagna |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 12 March 1921 Turin, Italy |
| Died | 24 January 2003 (aged 81) Turin, Italy |
| Political party | Independent |
| Spouse | Princess Marella Caracciolo di Castagneto (m. 1953) |
| Children | Edoardo Agnelli III Countess Margherita Agnelli de Pahlen |
| Parent(s) | Edoardo Agnelli II (father) Princess Virginia Bourbon del Monte (mother) |
| Relatives | Giovanni Agnelli (grandfather) John Elkann (grandson) |
| Alma mater | University of Turin |
| Occupation | Industrialist |
Agnelli was regarded as having an impeccable and slightly eccentric fashion sense, which has influenced both Italian and international men's fashion. Agnelli was awarded the decoration Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic in 1967 and the Order of Merit for Labour (Cavaliere del lavoro) in 1977. Following his death in 2003, control of the firm was gradually passed to his grandson and chosen heir, John Elkann.