People

Gianni Agnelli

Grandson of the founder of the Fiat car company, Agnelli studied law at Turin University and is still widely known in Italy as the "Avvocato". In the late 1940s he enjoyed the reputation of being a playboy but then settled down, married the Princess Marella Caracciolo di Castagneto and became one of the leading industrialists in Europe. He was chairman of Fiat between 1966 and 1996 and played an important role in reviving the company, buying Autobianchi, Lancia and Ferrari. Agnelli's interest in Ferrari's Formula 1 activities were an important element in building the team up during the 1970s when it was not initially very successful.

After his retirement Agnelli continued to be closely involved in Ferrari's F1 program, having long been a supporter of Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo.He died in January 2003.