Italian Stateswoman, Industrialist. She was the only female Minister of Foreign Affairs in Italy's history. Born of an Italian father and an American mother, she was raised with the massive wealth of the Fiat automotive dynasty. During WWII she was a Red Cross volunteer on a hospital ship and, in 1945, married Count Urbino Rattazzi. Over the years she maintained multiple homes in Italy and the United States, and was to introduce American-style television fundraising in Italy to advance various philanthropic causes. Following her 1971 divorce, Agnelli ventured into politics, first serving as mayor of the Tuscan coastal town of Monte Argentario, then winning election to Parliament on the Italian Republican (PRI) ticket in 1976. She became Senator in 1983, and was Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1995 to 1996. Agnelli also held a seat in the European Parliament from 1979 until 1981. Following her older brother's death in 2003, and younger brother's demise the next year, she led the successful fight to keep Fiat in her family. She was invested Cavaliere di Gran Croce OMRI, Italy's second-highest honor; her 1975 autobiography "Vestivamo alla marinara" ("We Wore Sailor Suits") was a best-seller, and won a Bancarella Prize. Agnelli died of complications from a fractured hip.
Italian Stateswoman, Industrialist. She was the only female Minister of Foreign Affairs in Italy's history. Born of an Italian father and an American mother, she was raised with the massive wealth of the Fiat automotive dynasty. During WWII she was a Red Cross volunteer on a hospital ship and, in 1945, married Count Urbino Rattazzi. Over the years she maintained multiple homes in Italy and the United States, and was to introduce American-style television fundraising in Italy to advance various philanthropic causes. Following her 1971 divorce, Agnelli ventured into politics, first serving as mayor of the Tuscan coastal town of Monte Argentario, then winning election to Parliament on the Italian Republican (PRI) ticket in 1976. She became Senator in 1983, and was Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1995 to 1996. Agnelli also held a seat in the European Parliament from 1979 until 1981. Following her older brother's death in 2003, and younger brother's demise the next year, she led the successful fight to keep Fiat in her family. She was invested Cavaliere di Gran Croce OMRI, Italy's second-highest honor; her 1975 autobiography "Vestivamo alla marinara" ("We Wore Sailor Suits") was a best-seller, and won a Bancarella Prize. Agnelli died of complications from a fractured hip.
Bio by: Bob Hufford
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