She wore Gucci, married Gucci, and ultimately—plotted to murder Gucci.
In a saga straight from the pages of a crime thriller, Patrizia Reggiani, once a glittering jewel in Milan’s elite, transformed into one of Italy’s most infamous criminals. Convicted for orchestrating the 1995 assassination of her ex-husband, Maurizio Gucci, heir to the iconic fashion house, her story is one of wealth, betrayal, ego, and vengeance.
And to this day, she insists:
“I am the most Gucci of them all.”
The Rise of Lady Gucci: A Cinderella Story Turned Sour
Patrizia Reggiani was born in modest circumstances but married into luxury when she wed Maurizio Gucci in 1972. Together, they became fashion royalty, living in opulence, attending galas, rubbing shoulders with aristocrats and celebrities.
She wasn’t just a wife—she became the face of high society, often likened to Elizabeth Taylor for her elegance and extravagance.
But the fairy tale unraveled when Maurizio walked out on her in 1985—without warning, never to return. The final blow came in 1993, when he sold the remaining shares of Gucci for $120 million, severing the family legacy.
Murder in Milan: The Death of Maurizio Gucci
On March 27, 1995, Maurizio arrived at his office in Milan and was gunned down by a hired killer. Four shots. One execution-style to the skull.
The killer fled, leaving the city reeling. At first, police were baffled. But after two years of rumors, tip-offs, and relentless investigation, the truth surfaced:
Patrizia Reggiani had ordered the hit.
The Plot Unfolds: A Psychic, a Hitman, and a Motive of Madness
The mastermind behind the crime was not alone. She enlisted:
- Pina Auriemma, her long-time psychic and confidante
- Benedetto Ceraulo, the hitman
- A getaway driver and a middleman to seal the plot
Reggiani had become obsessed with Maurizio’s new life, new lover, and freedom from her influence. Her motive? A mix of jealousy, loss of social status, and financial control.
During trial, when asked why she didn’t shoot Maurizio herself, she famously said:
“My eyesight is not so good. I didn’t want to miss.”
The Trial That Gripped the World
Dubbed “The Black Widow” by Italian media, Reggiani’s trial in 1998 was a media circus. She claimed innocence, blaming Auriemma for manipulation and extortion. But her lavish lifestyle, erratic behavior, and damning phone records told another story.
She was sentenced to 29 years in prison (later reduced to 26).
Ferrets, Diamonds, and Prison Chic
Even in prison, Reggiani remained an icon of eccentricity:
- She was allowed to keep a pet ferret named Bambi—who met a tragic end under another inmate.
- She refused parole in 2011 because it required her to get a job:
“I’ve never worked in my life, and I don’t intend to start now.”
In 2016, after serving 18 years, she was released and walked free—unapologetic, flamboyant, and as Gucci as ever.
A Murderer Still Living Off Gucci Millions
In a shocking legal twist, Italian courts ruled that Reggiani was still entitled to $1.2 million annually in alimony from Maurizio’s estate.
After her release, she collected over $20 million in back payments, making her a convicted killer and multi-millionaire beneficiary of the man she plotted to kill.
Where Is Patrizia Reggiani Now?
Today, Reggiani lives in Milan, often spotted with a parrot on her shoulder, a Gucci handbag on her arm, and no remorse in her stride.
She now claims she prefers animals over people—and spends her days walking the city like a queen without a crown.
“I may be alone, but I am still Gucci.”
House of Gucci and Pop Culture Resurrection
The 2021 Ridley Scott film House of Gucci, starring Lady Gaga as Patrizia, brought her story back into global focus. Though Reggiani was thrilled by the renewed fame, she was furious Gaga never consulted her:
“I was annoyed that she didn’t come to meet me. It’s not about money—it’s about respect.”
Reggiani was back in the headlines, not as a recluse—but as a true crime celebrity.