Written by Helen Regan, CNN
Gilberto Benetton, co-founder of the Italian fashion brand Benetton Group, went out on Monday at the age of 77.
Gilberto died at home in Treviso, in northeastern Italy, following a brief illness, the Benetton group said in a statement sent to the media. His wife Lalla, his daughters Barbara and Sabrina and his son-in-law Ermanno accompanied him in his last moments.
His death follows that of his younger brother Carlo, who died in July at the age of 74.
Gilberto co-founded the Benetton group with his brothers, Luciano and Carlo, and his sister, Giuliana, in Ponzano Veneto near their hometown in 1965.
Their colorful wool sweaters quickly became popular among local customers and siblings quickly diversified internationally by opening stores in Paris, New York and Tokyo.
Best known for its Benetton and Sisley United Colors fashion brands, Benetton Group has become one of the largest retail giants in the world, achieving street dominance with 5,000 stores in 120 countries.
Under the long-standing artistic direction of Italian photographer Oliviero Toscani, the Benetton group has often fueled controversy with provocative marketing campaigns designed to combat social taboos such as racism, sexuality, war and the epidemic of AIDS.
United Colors of Benetton by Oliviero Toscani (1991).
One of his most controversial advertising campaigns included a falsified image of Pope Benedict XVI embracing an imam in 2011. The company shot the ad after facing a negative public reaction.
Gilberto Benetton was responsible for Benetton's diversification into infrastructure and real estate through the family holding company Edizone, which he had created 30 years ago and remained vice-president of the company. advice until his death.
Edizone has investments in transport, via its main asset, Atlantia; catering via Autogrill motorway and airport restaurant chains; and, more recently, telecommunications, with investments in Cellnex.
