Susanna Agnelli

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Susanna Agnelli
Minister of Foreign Affairs
In office
January 17, 1995  May 17, 1996
Prime Minister Lamberto Dini
Preceded by Antonio Martino
Succeeded by Lamberto Dini
Personal details
Born (1922-04-24)April 24, 1922
Turin, Italy
Died May 15, 2009(2009-05-15) (aged 87)
Rome, Italy
Nationality Italian
Political party Italian Republican Party
Spouse(s) Count Urbano Rattazzi, Jr. (1945–1975)
Children 6 children
Religion Roman Catholic

Susanna Agnelli, Contessa Rattazzi, Cavaliere di Gran Croce OMRI[1] (April 24, 1922 – May 15, 2009) was an Italian politician, businesswoman and writer. She was the first woman to be appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs in Italy.

Early life

Born in Turin, she was the daughter of Edoardo Agnelli and Donna Virginia Bourbon del Monte, a daughter of the Prince di San Faustino and his Kentucky-born wife Jane Campbell. Her brother, Gianni Agnelli, was the head of Fiat until 1996; members of the Agnelli family are still the controlling shareholders of the company.

Politics

In 1974, Agnelli gained her first public appointment, when she became mayor of Monte Argentario. Her grandfather and great-grandfather had been mayors in their time. Agnelli served as mayor for a decade, from 1974-1984. The experience inspired her to enter national politics.

Agnelli was elected to the Italian Parliament in 1976 for the Italian Republican Party (PRI). In 1979, still for the PRI, she became an MEP in the European Parliament, from 1979-1981. In 1983, she returned to the Italian Parliament, becoming a senator.

The culmination of her political career was her appointment as Italy's first female Minister of Foreign Affairs, in 1995. She served for more than a year which, in the fragile politics of postwar Italy, makes her one of the most long-lasting holders of the office. It was not until 2013 that Emma Bonino became the next female incumbent of the post.

Family

In 1945 she married Count Urbano Rattazzi (1918-2012[2]) with whom she had six children, the youngest of whom is photographer Priscilla Rattazzi. The marriage was dissolved in 1975. She divided her time between New York City and Italy and she was long a loyal fan of Robert Denning, of Denning & Fourcade, who designed over 15 homes for her in Manhattan, South America and Italy. [3]

Autobiography

Her autobiography Vestivamo alla marinara ("We always wore sailor suits", 1983) was a bestseller in Italy.

Works

  • Vestivamo alla marinara (1975)
  • Gente alla deriva (1980)
  • Ricordati Gualeguaychu (1982)
  • Addio, addio mio ultimo amore (1985)

References

  1. quirinale.it
  2. Urbano Rattazzi
  3. "Editorial Statement — Brushing Up Jason Epstein's Downtown Loft", by Judith Thurman, Architectural Digest March 1995, v. 52 #3, pp. 186-200

External links

Political offices
Preceded by
Antonio Martino
Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs
1995–1996
Succeeded by
Lamberto Dini
Italian Chamber of Deputies
Preceded by
Title jointly held
Member of Parliament for Como
Legislatures: VII, VIII

1976–1983
Succeeded by
Title jointly held
Italian Senate
Preceded by
Title jointly held
Italian Senator
Legislatures: IX, X

1983–1992
Succeeded by
Title jointly held
European Parliament
New parliament Member of European Parliament for Northwest Italy
Legislature: I

1979–1981
Succeeded by
Title jointly held
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