He was a self-confessed workaholic involved in every aspect of his brand and shows.
But after his peaceful death aged 91 was announced on Thursday, control of the iconic Armani group will reportedly be divided among six carefully chosen heirs.
Armani died just weeks ahead of a planned 50th anniversary celebration set to take place at Milan Fashion Week.
In a statement released today, the fashion house announced his death ‘with infinite sorrow.’
Now, fashion lovers are left wondering who his successor will be and who might inherit his multi-billion dollar fortune.
The red carpet fashion pioneer’s company made $2.7billion a year and his empire was worth more than $12.1billion, including clothing, accessories, home furnishings, perfumes, cosmetics, books, flowers and even chocolates.
In August, Armani told The Financial Times he wants his successors to include his collaborators and family. Armani, who dated both men and women, had no children and never married.
Company and media reports suggest his successors include Armani’s sister Rosanna, his two nieces, one nephew, his partner and right-hand man Leo Dell’Orco, as well as a charitable foundation.
Famed fashion designer Giorgio Armani, 91, passed away peacefully at home Thursday surrounded by his friends and family. Above, seen with Hilary Swank in 2008
Giorgio Armani with his sister Rosanna Armani, who played a part in his fashion empire
Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani, his niece Silvana Armani and right-hand man Leo Dell’Orco
These successors already serve on the company’s board and will reportedly receive shares according to the bylaws Armani established in 2016. His nieces and nephew have senior positions in the luxury fashion house.
‘My plans for succession consist of a gradual transition of the responsibilities that I have always handled to those closest to me,’ Armani told FT, naming Dell’Orco, who’s head of men’s design, as well as his family and ‘the entire working team.’
‘I would like the succession to be organic and not a moment of rupture,’ the fashion icon, who founded his namesake label in 1976, said last month.
Dell’Orco runs the menswear for all of the house’s collections, including Giorgio Armani, Emporio Armani and Armani Exchange.
Dell’Orco, who was considered a member of the family, makes sense as a successor. While Armani was tight-lipped about his relationships and said he was ‘indifferent‘ to love, he also said the person ‘closest’ to him was Dell’Orco, and they lived together for many years.
While he and Dell’Orco, 72, were clearly close, they never labeled their relationship publicly. In Armani’s 2022 biography Per Amore, he gave a rare explanation of their relationship: ‘His real name is Pantaleo… he is the person to whom I have entrusted my most private thoughts, personal, work and otherwise, which he has kept to himself with great discretion.’
Niece Roberta Armani is another less likely option, as the pair were quite close. She even abandoned a burgeoning film career to become his director of public relations, and often represented her uncle
Another heir, Armani’s sister Rosanna, also played a part in his fashion empire
‘I would like the succession to be organic and not a moment of rupture,’ the fashion icon, who founded his namesake label in 1976, said last month
Armani and Julia Roberts at The Fashion Awards 2019 at Royal Albert Hall on December 2, 2019 in London
The pair were not married, but Armani shared that he wore a ‘wonderful ring with a diamond’.
In a rare interview, given to Italian newspaper Corriere della Sela just last year, the designer admitted he felt ‘a bit indifferent’ to love.
His comments were likely a reference to his long-term partner Sergio Galeotti, who passed away from an AIDS-related illness in 1985, leaving the designer feeling like he had lost ‘a part’ of himself.
It was Galeotti who had encouraged the fashion titan to enter the industry after they first met in 1966, with Armani going on to launch his own label in 1975.
Another heir, Armani’s sister Rosanna, also played a part in his fashion empire.
The icon grew up alongside his siblings, Rosanna and Sergio. Both were involved in the family brand, with Rosanna even modeling in Armani’s 1979 spring/summer campaign.
The late designer’s niece Silvana Armani, who worked alongside her uncle on the women’s collections, also tops the list as a possibility.
Roberta Armani is another less likely option, as the pair were quite close. She even abandoned a burgeoning film career to become his director of public relations, and often represented her uncle.
It’s likely these family members could potentially inherit his impressive fortune and properties, including homes in Milan, Tuscany, St. Tropez, Antigua and New York.
Armani was famous for owning his ‘dream boat,’ a $60 million, 200-foot mega yacht that took 30 months to complete
The legendary designer owned the basketball team Olimpia Milano as well as his literal dream boat – a $60 million, 200-foot mega yacht that took a whopping 30 months to complete.
Armani famously dressed celebrities including Julia Roberts, Beyoncé, Victoria Beckham, Sofia Loren, Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Hilary Swank, Cate Blanchett and Lady Gaga.
Fellow designers paid tribute to the fashion great, with Donatella Versace writing on Instagram the ‘world had lost a giant today.’
Russell Crowe, Julia Roberts, and Victoria Beckham also paid their respects on social media.
His funeral will be private but well-wishers can pay respects beforehand at a funeral chamber open on Saturday and Sunday in Milan.
