ITALY: For The Love of Money
Apower couple like no other, the world watched as Patrizia Reggiani married Maurizio Gucci.
Maurizio was the grandson of the founder of billionpound fashion label Gucci. Now, Maurizio was the last of the Gucci family dynasty to run the luxury brand.
Fabulously wealthy, Patrizia was once quoted as saying, ‘I would rather weep in a Rolls-royce than be happy on a bicycle.’
The couple, who had two children – Allegra and Alessandra – for many years ruled the family-run Gucci empire.
But, behind closed doors, the Guccis’ relationship was unravelling. And, in May 1985, after 12 years of marriage, Maurizio left Patrizia for a younger woman.
Heartbroken and furious, Patrizia was determined to cling on to the Gucci riches, despite the divorce.
Finally signing the divorce papers in 1992, Maurizio agreed to give Patrizia $500,000 (around £400,000) every single year until she died.
It was a generous settlement – even without her husband, Patrizia could continue her lavish lifestyle, but it simply wasn’t enough for the jilted fashionista.
On 23 September 1995, Maurizio, 46, was gunned down and killed on the steps outside of his office, sending the fashion world into shock.
As the story unfolded, it became clear there was only one person with a motive for Maurizio’s death… Patrizia.
Three years later, Patrizia Gucci was jailed for 29 years, following a conviction for paying a hit man to kill her ex-husband Maurizio.
The sentence was reduced to 26 years on appeal, and Patrizia was released in October 2014.