Every luxury brand has its own unique narrative, and so does Italian leather goods maker brand Gucci. Telling the true story Behind House of Gucci, director Ridley Scott is about to reveal the secret behind the murder of Maurizio Gucci, adapted from Sara G Forden’s 2001 non-fiction book, The House of Gucci: A Sensational Story of Murder, Madness, Glamour, and Greed, on this year’s Thanksgiving weekend (Nov. 25th).
Who was Maurizio Gucci?
Maurizio Gucci was born to Italian actors Sandra Ravel and Rodolfo Gucci, who was the son of legendary fashion designer Guccio Gucci. He married Patrizia Reggiani in 1973 and had two daughters, Alessandra and Allegra.
As an only child, Maurizio inherited his father’s majority ownership of the business when he died in 1983, which naturally led to family fighting. As a result, Maurizio launched a public legal battle against his uncle Aldo Gucci, vying for full control of the company. Soon after, in 1985, he left Patrizia and his daughters for a life with his new girlfriend, Paola Franchi.
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Maurizio Gucci spent his money and the company’s income recklessly, which forced him to sell his shares in the company to Investcorp, for $120m. However, after a period of silence, on March 27th, 1995 when Maurizio was entering his office building on Via Palestro 20 in Milan, he was shot three times in the back, and once in the head, by a mystery gunman. Maurizio collapsed and died right there on his office steps.
Patrizia Reggiani was an immediate suspect as she had publicly broadcast her desire to murder Gucci after their split. However, without evidence, the case went cold for two years. Eventually, a tip-off led to her arrest in 1997 and the trial began the following year.
Who was Patrizia Reggiani?
Patrizia Reggiani, who born to a waitress mother and a much older father who made his fortune in trucking.
While the family were not part of Milan high society, they were extremely wealthy. Reggiani met Gucci at a party after networking her way into the upper class of Milan’s social circuit. She became a chief adviser for Gucci.
As Reggiani’s trial unfolded in 1998, it emerged that she had hired four accomplices to carry out Gucci’s murder. She spent 16 years in prison. After completing her trial in 2014, Reggiani was hired as a design consultant by Milanese costume jewellery firm Bozart.
The Cast
The House of Gucci cast is led by Lady Gaga (as Patrizia Reggiani) and Adam Driver (as Maurizio Gucci). While Al Pacino is playing Aldo Gucci, Maurizio’s uncle, Camille Cottin has been casted as Paola Franchi ( Maurizio’s girlfreind), Jeremy Irons will be seen playing Rodolfo Gucci ( Maurizio’s father).
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Jared Leto as Paolo Gucci
One of Aldo’s four children, Paolo was chief designer for Gucci in the 1960s.
Florence Andrews as Jennifer Gucci
Salma Hayek as Giuseppina “Pina” Auriemma
Hayek is married to François-Henri Pinault, son of François Pinault, the founder of current Gucci parent company Pinault-Printemps-Redoute.
Reeve Carney as Tom Ford
The celebrity designer came to fame when he was appointed creative director of Gucci in 1994.
Jack Huston as Domenico De Sole
A close adviser to Maurizio Gucci, De Sole was CEO of Gucci America before becoming CEO of Gucci Group in 1995.
