Gucci Family

Ridley Scott’s “House Of Gucci”, a biographical crime drama, based on the 2001 book The House of Gucci: A Sensational Story of Murder, Madness, Glamour, and Greed, brought back bitter-sweet memories behind the creation of the world’s most successful brand. Often termed as a fight for control, the Gucci family’s history is a mix of romance and bloodshed.

From living in a luxurious penthouse at the beginning of his career, Maurizio Gucci, the son of actor Rodolfo Gucci, soon found himself entangled in a legal battle with his uncle Aldo Gucci. Maurizio met with a brutal end after he was assassinated by a hitman hired by his ex-wife, Patrizia Reggiani. But hey, there’s a lot more to this sensational story. Read on to explore all about this family.

Maurizio Gucci was born in 1948 in Florence. He was the only child of actors, Rodolfo Gucci and Sandra Ravel. While Maurizio already had a fair taste of a luxurious life, he still decided to move to NYC to work for the Gucci company with his uncle, Aldo Gucci. After two years of living in a luxurious penthouse gifted by his dad, Maurizio moved to Milan to fight a rigorous legal battle against his uncle for control over Gucci.

“House of Gucci” was started by Marurizio’s grandfather, Guccio Gucci. He had already become a majority shareholder of the family-run business following his father’s death. However,  47.8% of Gucci was sold to a Bahrain-based investment fund, Investcorp in 1988. His uncle, Aldo Gucci died in Rome at the age of 84 of prostate cancer, on 19 January 1990.

Maurizio became the chairman of the Gucci group in 1989 but was blamed for spending carelessly on the company’s headquarters in Florence and Milan. In 1993, he sold the remaining company stock to Investcorp for $170 million, marking the end of Gucci’s association with the famous Italian family.

In an interview back then, Patrizia revealed her rage against Maurizio by stating that “Maurizio got crazy”. She continued, “Until then I was his chief adviser about all Gucci matters. But he wanted to be the best, and he stopped listening to me… I was angry with Maurizio about many, many things at that time. But above all, this. Losing the family business. It was stupid. It was a failure. I was filled with rage, but there was nothing I could do.”

Maurizio And Patrizia Bittersweet Love

Maurizio’s love story with Patrizia Reggiani was anything but love. Little did Italy and the world at large know that what started as a sweet love story, would end up being the biggest scandal in the country. Maurizio met Patrizia, an Italian socialite and daughter of a trucking magnet at a party in Milan.

The two got married in 1972 in their early 20s and Patrizia was very much there to witness the rise and fall of the Gucci family. And why not! She was Gucci’s chief advisor. If you aren’t aware, Rodolfo never approved of their relationship, and believed that Patrizia was a “social climber who has nothing in mind but money”.

Maurizio and Patrizia gave birth to two daughters, Allegra and Alessandra. However, their marriage ended on a bitter note, when Maurizio suddenly his wife and children left one day. The two were considered separated after Gucci’s friend informed Patrizia that her husband won’t be returning back. Here’s the catch! He left his wife for an American model.

Maurizio dated Sheree McLaughlin Loud, an American model from Connecticut from 1984 to 1990. During her time with Maurizio, the model reported that Gucci left his wife for her. She even claimed that Maurizio pursued her while she was married to her then-husband under the guise of employment. In 1988, she divorced her husband and Gucci rented her an apartment in NYC, paid for all her trips, and rode her places in his black Ferrari.

By 1988, Maurizo had already forced out the remaining Gucci family from the fashion company. Things didn’t end well between Maurizio and his newfound love. He never wanted her to shift to Milan, considering the strict social codes. But then, Loud wanted to settle down and make a family with him.

After several meetings in different European ports in the name of Gucci’s historic sailing yacht, ‘The Creole’, Patrizia agaMaurizio Gucci And Patrizia Reggiani… Maurizio Gucci was the grandson of Gucci’s founder, Guccio Gucci and was born in 1948. After he served his legislative terms in Rome and Milan, he joined the family trade. Maurizio began working at the Gucci head office moved to New of York in 1960. In 1972, Maurizio moved back to Italy and joined the family business. He fired many of the company’s fourth generation relatives and focused on turning Gucci into a fashion powerhouse rather than selling leather goods. After he became the CEO of the company, the brand started selling products like silk blouses, evening gowns and denim. The shift that Maurizio brought with him not only helped Gucci become what it’s known for today, but also brought troubles in his personal life. Because of family tension, Maurizio sold his stake to Investcorp, a Bahrain-based investment firm and invested in an agribusiness near Siena.

He married Patricia Reggiani in 1973, and they had two daughters, but the couple split in 1985. After a failed business deal, Maurizio sued his wife. They remained apart, but Patricia Reggiani remained entitled to a huge monthly allowance.

As Maurizio moved on, Patrizi came into the picture. Gucci and Loud soon ended their relationship as Maurizio wanted to focus on his two daughters with Patrizia. Loud, on the other hand, went on to work for Vogue as a merchandising editor.