Former Pirelli Chairman Dies

Pirelli has reported the death of Former chairman Leopoldo Pirelli. Pirelli, who passed away at his home in the northern Italian seaside resort of Portofino, was 81.

Leopoldo Pirelli joined the board of Pirelli SpA in 1951 and was appointed deputy chairman in 1956 and chairman in 1961. He took over leadership of the company in 1970 following a car accident claimed the life of his older brother Giovanni. He handed over day-to-day leadership of the company in to his former son-in-law Marco Tronchetti Provera in 1992, and retired as chairman in 1996 but continued his association with the company in the capacity of honourary chairman of the board.

His passing has been mourned by prominent figures in Italy and worldwide. Italian President Giorgio Napolitano praised Pirelli as a “noteworthy” figure in Italy’s business world “who had a highly significant role in the economic and social development of the country.” An official statement from Pirelli & C. SpA said the company’s board, management and employees “mourn the passing of a man who dedicated all his life to the development of the company.”

According to Italian media, current Pirelli chairman Marco Tronchetti Provera has stated that Leopoldo Pirelli taught him the important values of respect for institutions and ethics at work.