Gianni Agnelli with his brothers at the end of the 20's.
My family is what demographers would call a high fertility rate family. Practically, since my grandfather’s era we are now more than 100 people. My daughter has 8 children; we are seven brothers and sisters; my sister Susanna has 5 children.
On vacation at Forte dei Marmi in the 30's with his brothers, sisters and his grandmother Jane.
Gianni Agnelli with his grandfather at the end of the 30's.
Senator Giovanni Agnelli and his son Edoardo at Villar Perosa.
I was born in 1921, so until 1940 my grandfather had a particular role. Immediately after that, he had another one. My father died in 1935. Until 1935 my grandfather was like all grandparents: he was more permissive, toward his grandchild, whereas my father was stricter. In 1935 he became responsible for me, totally responsible, also the responsibility for disciplining quite strictly. Then in 1940 I went into the military to be a soldier; I saw very little of him, and I saw him again at the end of the war in 1945, when he was almost at the end of his life.
[My grandfather] represented authority and absolute power. He was a powerful man in his city, a powerful man in Italy. He was a very simple man and by nature a very influential man. And so, for me, he represented absolute power.
Gianni Agnelli and his grandfather at Prà Martino in 1940.
Gianni with his siblings Giorgio, Maria Sole, Susanna, Clara, Cristiana, Umberto and the little Ira Fürstenberg (Clara’s daughter) in Lausanne in the early 40’s.
My sister Suni was my friend indeed, maybe also because she is the closest in age, also my sister Clara. The others were younger, but then Umberto and I also became very good friends. We understood each other immediately, even before speaking.
Gianni and Marella Agnelli’s wedding, in Strasburg in 1953.
Cutting of the wedding cake during the celebrations at the Osthoffen Castle
Marella? We have lived together for a lifetime. At that point, the other person becomes a part of you; how can we call ourselves friends? It’s more, much more, it’s a part of you.
Gianni Agnelli at the helm of his sailing boat with Edoardo as a young child
A luncheon on the plane with children Edoardo and Margherita
I am not a good teacher. I am more prone to letting people do whatever they want.
My wife has played a very important role in my life. Today I would say that she’s somehow a part of a team play.
Gianni and Marella Agnelli in a room at his villa in Villar Perosa
Gianni on the boat with his wife Marella
Gianni with his sister Susanna in the garden at his villa in Villar Perosa.
Gianni with his sister Susanna, the closest in age.
Gianni in the stands at Delle Alpi Stadium with his brother Umberto, nephew Giovanni Alberto and grandson Lapo.
Gianni Agnelli at the stadium with his grandchildren John and Lapo Elkann
I always talk to my grandchildren, I laugh with them, I take them to museums and to the cinema. I know how to do it. But I am not a good teacher.
Family, like for all Italian people, means a lot to me. It’s the core from which everything else begins.
The Avvocato with his wife, his children Edoardo and Margherita and his granchildren at Villar Perosa in 1986.
