On March 27, 1995, Maurizio Gucci, the last of the Gucci family members to run the iconic luxury fashion brand, was shot dead outside his office in Milan. The murder sent shockwaves throughout the fashion world and beyond. The question on everyone’s mind was: Who killed Gucci and why?
The investigation into Gucci’s murder revealed a twisted web of greed, jealousy, and betrayal. It turned out that his ex-wife Patrizia Reggiani had hired hitman Benedetto Ceraulo to carry out the assassination.
But why would Reggiani want her ex-husband dead? The answer lies in their bitter divorce proceedings.
After 12 years of marriage, Gucci had left Reggiani for a younger woman and cut off her $2.5 million annual allowance. Reggiani was livid and felt that she had been wronged.
In court, she famously declared: “I’d rather weep in a Rolls-Royce than be happy on a bicycle.” This statement earned her the nickname “Lady Gucci” in the press and painted her as a cold-hearted gold-digger.
Reggiani’s motive for murder was clear – revenge. But how did she plan it? She enlisted Ceraulo and paid him an estimated $365,000 to carry out the hit.
Ceraulo recruited several accomplices and meticulously planned the murder. On March 27th, he shot Gucci twice in the back of his head as he entered his office building.
Reggiani and Ceraulo were eventually caught and sentenced to prison. Reggiani served 18 years before being released in 2016 for good behavior.
The murder of Maurizio Gucci not only shook up the fashion world but also exposed the dark side of wealth and power. It showed that even those with everything can be brought down by greed and jealousy.
In conclusion, the murder of Maurizio Gucci was a tragic event that revealed the ugly side of human nature. Patrizia Reggiani’s desire for revenge led her to commit a heinous act that would change the course of many lives. It serves as a reminder that money and power can corrupt even the most privileged among us.