The universal belief that the people of Italy, where fun reigns, the sun shines and wine flows like a river, do not want and simply do not know how to work - this is nothing more than a stereotype and a popular delusion. From year to year, the names of those who have repeatedly proved the opposite appear on the Forbes list. And here is a list of the five most famous and richest people in Italy:
Luciano Benetton
One of the most popular brands of men's and women's clothing brings fabulous amounts to its owners. According to Forbes, the Benetton family, which founded the company of the same name, occupies 736th place in the list of the richest people in the world, and its fortune is estimated at $ 2 billion. And it all started back in 1965, when the brothers Luciano, Carlo (Carlo) and Gilberto (Gilberto) founded the Benetton Group. Then the company was very modest in popularity. Their sister Giuliana knitted sweaters, and the brothers traded them, cycling around. Since then, the company has developed rapidly, bringing the Benetton family significant profits. However, this is not the only source of income for Italian billionaires: Luciano, his brothers and sister also own the largest Italian concessionaire, Atlantia SpA, as well as the Autogrill chain of roadside restaurants.
Silvio Berlusconi
The former Prime Minister of Italy is invariably on the list of the richest people on the planet. In the past year, the politician was in 169th place, having lost several positions, compared with previous years. The source of profit for the notorious Berlusconi is the publishing trust Arnoldo Mondadori Editor, whose co-owner is the 77-year-old politician. Twenty years ago, Berlusconi organized and led the Forward Italy party, and later became the country's prime minister. However, last year was not the best for Silvio: he was sentenced to four years in prison due to tax evasion, and also deprived of his right to occupy leadership positions for three years. Berlusconi also managed to divorce his wife, which flew him a “penny”: he still pays alimony to his ex-wife, which significantly hits his pocket.
Giorgio Armani
The 79-year-old couturier earned $ 8.5 billion thanks to the Armani fashion brand he created. According to the Forbes list, Armani is 131st on the list of the richest people on the planet. World celebrities dress in his outfits; he earned the appreciation of even the extravagant Lady Gaga. Among fans of his talent there are famous men. So, the designer launched another EA7 brand in honor of the football player Andrei Shevchenko, when he made his career in Milan. Giorgio Armani is a versatile person: he designed many apartments in the best hotels in Dubai.
Leonardo del Vecchio
The founder of Luxottica last year ranked 49th on the Forbes list thanks to his fortune, which currently stands at $ 15.3 billion. As a child, del Vecchio ended up in an orphanage, and from there went straight to a workshop engaged in the production of spectacle frames. And already at the age of 260, he created his own company Luxottica, quickly reached unknown heights and was nicknamed the king of points. Luxottica today is the world's largest diopter eyewear manufacturer.
Michele Ferrero
The 87-year-old Ferrero is the head of the world-famous chocolate company of the same name. The Michele company inherited the Ferrero Group in 1950, and he, in turn, made it very successful and earned $ 20.4 billion by 2013, thereby earning himself 23rd place on the list of the richest people on the planet. Today, Ferrero Group includes companies such as Ferrero Rocher, Tic Tac and Nutella, which employs more than 22,000 people, making delicious chocolate that is familiar to everyone.
