Spear’s Magazine
By Suzanne Elliott
Updated December 4th, 2024
The Agnellis, Italy’s ‘royal family’ of industry, has played a pivotal role in shaping global business and culture but a bitter feud is driving the Fiat family apart
Through their control of Fiat, Italy’s largest car manufacturer, and investments in Ferrari, Juventus football club, luxury brands and national newspapers, the family have amassed a $13.5 billion fortune.
But their wealth has not protected the Agnelli family from tragedy and discord, drawing comparisons to the Kennedy dynasty in the US.
And, like the Kennedys, their huge wealth and heady mix of glamour, feuds and tragedies have captivated people, in Italy and beyond.
In recent years, the family has made headlines because of a bitter 20-year inheritance feud. Will this succession drama drive the Fiat family apart?
20 years after Gianni’s death a fierce inheritance battle is pitting Elkann against his mother, Margherita, Gianni’s only surviving child. The dispute had been dormant for a few years, but Margherita took it up a gear earlier this year when she filed a legal complaint for alleged tax irregularities related to the inheritance left by Gianni Agnelli. Her sons say that they feel ‘grief and pain’ over their mother’s recent accusations. It looks like this very public battle is likely to continue to drive the Fiat family apart and fuel newspaper headlines.
Suzanne Elliott, Digital Editor, Spear’s Magazine
