Valentino Garavani was an Italian fashion designer who created one of the world’s most recognizable luxury brands through elegant eveningwear and his iconic “Valentino red” signature color. Born May 11, 1932, in Voghera, Lombardy, he built a fashion empire that dressed royalty, Hollywood stars, and first ladies for over six decades. Garavani died peacefully on January 19, 2026, at age 93, at his home in Rome, surrounded by loved ones, according to his foundation’s announcement on January 19, 2026.
Who is Valentino Garavani?
Valentino Garavani stands as fashion’s “Last Emperor,” a title immortalized in a 2008 documentary about his life and career. He founded the Valentino brand in 1960 and spent decades dressing the world’s most glamorous women, from Audrey Hepburn and Jacqueline Kennedy to contemporary icons like Zendaya.
His influence extended beyond clothing—he and business partner Giancarlo Giammetti became the first designer brand listed on the Milan stock exchange, transforming Italian fashion into a globally dominant force. His romantic, feminine aesthetic combined with impeccable tailoring made his designs instantly recognizable among luxury consumers worldwide.
Valentino Garavani Age at Death
Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani was born on May 11, 1932, in Voghera, Lombardy, Italy. He lived to be 93 years old, passing away peacefully on January 19, 2026, at his Roman residence [web::798]. His foundation announced he died from natural causes, surrounded by loved ones.
Valentino Garavani Death
On January 19, 2026, Valentino Garavani died peacefully at his home in Rome, according to the official announcement from his foundation on Instagram. His foundation stated that “Valentino Garavani passed away today at his Roman residence, surrounded by his loved ones”. He died from natural causes at age 93.
Following his death, arrangements were made for him to lie in state at Piazza Mignanelli 23 in Rome on January 21–22, with his funeral taking place on January 23 at the Basilica of St Mary of the Angels and of the Martyrs. His passing marked the end of an era in fashion history.
Valentino Garavani Biography / Wiki
| Attribute | Details |
| Full Name | Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani |
| Date of Birth | May 11, 1932 |
| Date of Death | January 19, 2026 |
| Age at Death | 93 Years |
| Birthplace | Voghera, Lombardy, Italy |
| Nationality | Italian |
| Profession | Fashion Designer, Fashion House Founder |
| Famous For | Luxury eveningwear, “Valentino red” color, haute couture |
| Brand Founded | 1960 |
| Retired From Brand | 1998 (sold to Gianni Agnelli) |
| Final Retirement | 2007 |
| Legacy Title | “The Last Emperor of Fashion” |
Early Life and Background
Valentino grew up in Voghera, a small town between Turin and Milan in the Lombardy region. His parents, Mauro Garavani and Teresa de Biaggi, named him Valentino after the famous matinée idol Rudolph Valentino from the 1920s.
From primary school onward, young Valentino showed an unmistakable passion for fashion and design. He apprenticed under his aunt Rosa and a local designer named Ernestina Salvadeo, absorbing fundamental design principles while still in school. His early inspirations came from classic Hollywood movies and the glamorous gowns worn by leading actresses of that era.
Valentino Garavani Education
In 1949, at age 17, Valentino left his hometown for Milan, attending the Santa Maria Institute to study fashion sketching. He also enrolled in a Berlitz French course, preparing himself for international work.
His ambitions expanded beyond Italy. Later in 1949, he moved to Paris to continue his education at the École des Beaux-Arts and the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne, the French fashion governing body. This formal training equipped him with technical expertise and exposed him to the highest standards of European haute couture.
Paris proved transformative for his development. He apprenticed under renowned couturiers including Jacques Fath, Balenciaga, Jean Dessès, and Guy Laroche. Working alongside these masters, he absorbed the discipline, precision, and artistry that define haute couture at its finest.
Valentino Garavani Profession
Valentino worked exclusively as a fashion designer and creative director, spending his entire career focused on couture design and brand building. His role evolved from creating individual garments to orchestrating an entire luxury fashion empire with his business partner Giancarlo Giammetti.
His responsibilities included:
- Creative Direction: Designing collections that defined seasonal trends and haute couture aesthetics
- Brand Management: Building Valentino into an international luxury label with boutiques worldwide
- Business Strategy: Pioneering ready-to-wear lines, children’s clothing, accessories, and fragrances
- Client Relations: Maintaining personal connections with royal families, celebrities, and high society
Valentino Garavani Career Journey
Early Career in Paris (1949–1959)
After completing his education in Paris, Valentino worked as an apprentice in several prestigious fashion houses, absorbing design philosophy and technical mastery. His time under Balenciaga particularly shaped his approach to structure and elegance.
By the late 1950s, Valentino recognized that Paris-centered haute couture faced challenges from emerging Italian fashion centers. He discussed returning to Italy with his parents and decided to launch his own house of haute couture in Rome.
Establishing the Valentino House (1959–1962)
In 1959, Valentino returned to Italy and opened his first fashion house on Rome’s famous Via Condotti with financial backing from his father. He chose Rome deliberately, recognizing the city’s growing importance in the fashion world.
The early years proved challenging financially. Within his first year, Valentino faced near-bankruptcy as he struggled to establish clientele and production capacity. However, his decision proved pivotal when he met Giancarlo Giammetti at the Café de Paris in 1960, a businessman who would become his lifelong partner in both business and personal life.
Giammetti brought crucial business acumen to complement Valentino’s creative talent. Together, they structured manufacturing deals and focused on building the brand systematically.
International Breakthrough (1962–1964)
Valentino’s defining moment arrived in 1962 when he was invited to showcase at the Pitti Palace in Florence, then a hub of Italian fashion. His debut collection at this prestigious venue received critical acclaim and caught the attention of influential socialites including Giancarlo Agnelli’s wife Marella Agnelli, Babe Paley, and Gloria Guinness.
The designer declared “Red will be my lucky color” after witnessing the profound effect of his signature crimson shade on the runway. From that moment, “Valentino red” became his trademark—described as “a lasting mark, a logo, an iconic aspect of the brand, a value”.
His international breakthrough accelerated dramatically in 1964 when he met Jacqueline Kennedy shortly after President Kennedy’s assassination. Jackie’s endorsement propelled Valentino to international stardom as she wore his designs for countless official and social occasions.
Building the Luxury Empire (1965–1998)
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Valentino expanded from pure couture into ready-to-wear collections, establishing boutiques in Milan, Rome, and eventually worldwide. He opened his first ready-to-wear shops in Milan and Rome in 1969, democratizing his designs for broader audiences.
During the 1970s, Valentino worked extensively in New York, launching his young adults line and children’s wear. His business model pioneered luxury brand expansion—while maintaining exclusive haute couture, he licensed accessories, fragrances, and younger-skewing collections.
The 1980s and 1990s saw unprecedented growth. Valentino opened boutiques across major global cities and launched successful fragrance and accessory lines. The brand became one of Italy’s most valuable fashion houses, demonstrating that haute couture could be commercially sustainable in the modern era.
It is worth noting that Valentino and Giammetti sold their brand in 1998 to Gianni Agnelli for $300 million, according to business records, after which it underwent subsequent ownership changes and restructuring.
Later Career and Legacy (1998–2026)
Following his retirement from active design in 1998, Valentino transitioned to an advisory role while dedicating himself to his social life and residences. He retired completely from the brand in 2007.
After his departure, creative leadership passed to Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli as co-creative directors, who maintained Valentino’s aesthetic while modernizing the brand. The brand continued thriving under subsequent leadership, expanding into Asian and Middle Eastern markets while hosting exhibitions celebrating Garavani’s legacy.
Valentino received numerous honors during his lifetime, including recognition from the French Legion of Honour and multiple design awards.
Valentino Garavani Famous For
- “Valentino Red”: His signature crimson color became iconic, instantly identifying his designs
- Romantic Eveningwear: His gowns balanced elegance with femininity, creating garments suitable for royal occasions and red carpets
- Impeccable Tailoring: His designs combined simplicity with perfection of cut, reflecting his apprenticeships under couture masters
- Celebrity Clientele: From Audrey Hepburn and Elizabeth Taylor to Jacqueline Kennedy and contemporary stars, his designs graced history’s most important moments
- Italian Fashion Leadership: He established Rome as a fashion capital equal to Paris, elevating Italian design globally
- Luxury Brand Innovation: He proved haute couture could sustain commercial success through ready-to-wear expansion and licensing
Valentino Garavani Family
| Relationship | Details |
| Father | Mauro Garavani |
| Mother | Teresa de Biaggi |
| Birthplace | Voghera, Lombardy, Italy |
| Business Partner | Giancarlo Giammetti (met 1960) |
| Romantic Interest | Marilù Tolo (Italian actress; described as “only woman he truly loved”) |
| Personal Entourage | Circle of friends referred to as “the tribe,” including Naty Abascal and Georgina Brandolini d’Adda |
| Pet | Olivier, his beloved pug (his young adults line was named after the dog) |
| Mother’s Role | Moved from Voghera to Rome to assist with the business |
Personal Life & Relationships
Valentino’s closest personal relationship was with Giancarlo Giammetti, whom he met at the Café de Paris in 1960. Though primarily described as business partners, their relationship encompassed decades of shared professional and personal life.
He maintained a close circle of aristocratic and artistic friends, including Italian actresses and European nobility. Despite his glamorous lifestyle and proximity to countless famous women, Valentino reflected that Italian actress Marilù Tolo was “the only woman he truly loved,” and he had hoped to marry her and start a family, though that relationship ultimately didn’t lead to marriage.
His pug Olivier held such significance that Valentino named his young adults fashion line after the beloved dog. He maintained residences across Rome, Paris, and other European cities, living a lifestyle befitting his status among international high society.
Valentino Garavani Net Worth
At the time of his retirement in 1998, Valentino’s net worth reached an estimated $200-300 million, primarily from the sale of his fashion house to Gianni Agnelli for $300 million. Following the sale, his wealth fluctuated with subsequent brand ownership changes, though his personal fortune remained substantial.
His wealth derived from:
- Fashion House Sale: $300 million sale in 1998
- Licensing Deals: Revenues from fragrance, accessory, and ready-to-wear licensing
- Real Estate Holdings: Multiple luxury properties across Rome, Paris, and other prime European locations
- Brand Royalties: Ongoing compensation from the Valentino brand bearing his name
At his death on January 19, 2026, his estate represented one of fashion’s most valuable personal fortunes
