Top 5 with money: The richest women in Italy

Italy's female billionaires are much more discreet ^{_{Symbol photo: stock.adobe.com//standret}}

From of our editorial team

While Silvio Berlusconi (†86) used to make no secret of his billions, Italy's richest women are much more discreet. Fashion plays a major role in this ranking of the rich - probably in a different way than you might think.

Virtually none of the ladies' wealth - collections of paintings or cars - can be seen in public. Italy's billionaires are very discreet and photo-shy. We googled every name: Little came up.

1st place with 7.6 billion US dollars

The richest woman in Italy is also one of the shadiest. She is virtually invisible in Italy's high society. Together with her family, Massimiliana Landini Aleotti (82) lives away from the spotlights and the flurry of flashbulbs.

After the death of her husband Alberto Aleotti (†91) in 2014, she inherited his pharmaceutical company Menarini together with her children. The pharmaceutical giant has its headquarters in Florence in the Tuscany. Her daughter Lucia is now Chairwoman of the Group and her son Alberto Giovanni is Deputy Chairman. Alberto Aleotti started at Menarini in 1964 and bought the company in the early 1990s.

Five Italian everyday rituals that make life better

2nd place with 6.4 billion US dollars

Miuccia Prada (75, born Maria Bianchi) is one of the Italian self-made billionaires in the ranking.

She first studied political science at the University of Milan, where she subsequently completed her doctorate. She also studied acting and pantomime with Giorgio Strehler at Milan's Piccolo Teatro. During the 1970s she became involved in the Italian Communist Party and the women's rights movement.

Takeover of the family business

At the age of 28, Prada takes over the family business of manufacturing luxury leather goods in Milan. She turns the family business into a world-renowned fashion label. Miuccia Prada decides on various innovations, including the production of clothing. The international breakthrough comes with a collection of black bags made of fine nylon (a patented fabric of her own design).

History of the Group

The company was founded in 1913 by her grandfather Mario Prada, then continued by her mother Luisia. The mother marries Luigi 'Gino' Bianchi in the 1940s. The couple have three children: Alberto, Marina and Maria (Miuccia). Miuccia Bianchi takes her grandfather's surname (or her mother's maiden name) in the 1980s.

She and her siblings Alberto and Marina, as well as her husband Patrizio Bertelli, are the majority owners of Prada. She is the creative head of the company and develops, among other things, the second line Miu Miu, named after her nickname.

Today, Miuccia Prada is also a world-renowned art collector and expert.

Italy's super diva Sophia Loren

3rd place with 4.7 billion US dollars each: Nicoletta Zampilo, Marisa Del Vecchio & Paola Del Vecchio

Three women, one empire - and one of the most valuable brands in the world on their business card: Ray-Ban. The Zampillo-Del-Vecchio dynasty is behind Luxottica, the world's largest eyewear manufacturer. There is hardly a designer label - from Chanel to Prada - that does not have its glasses manufactured by Luxottica.

Why Italians talk with their hands

Wealthy widow

Nicoletta Zampillo is the wife of Leonardo Del Vecchio (†), the legendary founder of Luxottica. After his death in June 2022, she and his six children inherited the huge eyewear empire, which is now part of the listed holding company EssilorLuxottica is. The Group combines cult brands such as Oakley, Persol, Vogue Eyewear and Ray-Ban with optical chains such as Sunglass Hut and eyewear galleries around the globe.

Two daughters also inherit

Marisa and Paola Del Vecchiotwo of Leonardo's children from his first marriage, are also considered co-heirs - and, together with Nicoletta Zampillo, are probably the most discreet billionaires in Europe. They rarely appear in public. This makes their company's products all the more visible: from Hollywood films to airport shops, millions of people wear their designs on their noses every day - without even realising it.

4th place with 3.7 billion dollars

Absolutely shy of publicity. Alessandra Garavoglia (64), the fourth richest woman in Italy, is a member of the Board of Directors of the Campari Group, one of the world's largest alcoholic beverage companies. The group's brands include Skyy Vodka, Wild Turkey, Aperol and Campari.

The 10 basics for a restaurant in Italy

Garavoglia holds an estimated 24 per cent of the group, which will be listed on the Milan Stock Exchange in 2001. She inherited her share from her parents. Her late father, Domenico, was a long-time employee before the last remaining heir of the Campari family passed the company on to him. Her brother Luca Garavoglia (53) is president of the Campari group of companies.

5th place with 3.4 billion

The woman who comes to billions with knitting needles. When their father dies early, Giuliana (85) and her brother Luciano (87) have to contribute to the family's upkeep. She knits jumpers for a local clothing company, he sells shirts in textile warehouses.

From 1955 onwards, the siblings begin to sell Giuliana's colourful, self-knitted jumpers themselves through local shops. They buy second-hand knitting machines to increase production; brother Carlo (†74) is responsible for maintenance. Together with their fourth brother Gilberto (†77), they set up a knitwear manufacturing company in 1965.

Empire: from real estate to agriculture

The family's holding company, Edizione is now an empire. It is also active in real estate and agriculture, controls the textile group Benetton, 18 per cent of the German construction group Hochtief and, through the listed infrastructure company Atlantia, various airport operators (Rome, Nice, Cannes), motorway service areas and motorway companies.

Giuliana Benetton is married and has four children.

• Why you talk to your mum on the phone every day in Italy
• The longing for Tuscany and what lies behind it
• The most beautiful songs for learning Italian

Italy: Where is what?

Italy's Cities & Villages

Travel tips for Italy