The world of fashion is full of mysteries and controversies, and one such controversy that has been making rounds for quite some time now is whether Patrizia Reggiani owns Gucci or not. For those who are not familiar with the name, Patrizia Reggiani was once known as the “Black Widow” of the fashion industry. She was accused of plotting the murder of her ex-husband, Maurizio Gucci, who was the former head of Gucci.
The Trial and Imprisonment
In 1995, Patrizia Reggiani was found guilty of hiring a hitman to kill her ex-husband and was sentenced to 29 years in prison. However, her sentence was reduced to 26 years on appeal in 1998. She served 18 years in prison before being released on parole in October 2016.
During her imprisonment, many rumors circulated that she owned a significant share in Gucci and would inherit control of the company after her release from prison. However, these rumors were never confirmed by any official source.
The Truth About Ownership
The truth is that Patrizia Reggiani never owned Gucci. The company was founded by Guccio Gucci in Florence, Italy back in 1921. It remained a family-owned business until the early ’90s when Maurizio Gucci sold his shares to Investcorp, an international investment group based in Bahrain.
After Investcorp acquired a controlling stake in Gucci, it appointed Domenico De Sole as CEO. Under his leadership, the brand underwent a complete transformation and became one of the most successful luxury brands globally.
In 2004, French luxury goods conglomerate Kering (formerly known as PPR) acquired a majority stake in Gucci through its subsidiary company Artemis S.A. Today Kering owns around 70% of the shares while there are other small shareholders as well.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Patrizia Reggiani was never an owner of Gucci. The rumors about her owning a significant stake in the company were just that – rumors.
While the Gucci family no longer owns the brand, it is still one of the most successful and iconic fashion houses globally. The legacy of Guccio Gucci lives on through his creations, and it will continue to do so for years to come.