Top 10 Richest Men In Italy According To Forbes (2025)

When you think about Italy, your mind probably jumps to pizza, pasta, luxury fashion, and maybe the Amalfi Coast. But beyond the picturesque scenery and Michelin-star restaurants, Italy is also home to some of the most influential and wealthy business minds in the world. These men (and in some cases, their families) have turned creativity, tradition, and sharp business instincts into billion-dollar fortunes.

According to Forbes’ 2025 billionaire rankings, Italy has more than a dozen billionaires, but here we’ll zoom in on the top 10 richest men in the country. And trust me, this list is a fascinating blend — from chocolate kings to cryptocurrency wizards, fashion icons, and even a Ferrari heir.

Before we dive in, let’s note something important: wealth in Italy often comes from a combination of heritage, innovation, and international market dominance. This is not a country where “get rich quick” schemes typically make the Forbes list. These billionaires are sitting on empires that took decades (or even centuries) to build.

1. Giovanni Ferrero – $38.2 Billion

Age: 60
Source of Wealth: Nutella, Ferrero Rocher, Kinder
Industry: Food & Beverage

You can’t talk about Italian billionaires without mentioning chocolate royalty. Giovanni Ferrero is the man steering the Ferrero Group, the family-owned confectionery giant behind Nutella, Kinder, and Ferrero Rocher.

His father, Michele Ferrero, was the genius who transformed the family’s small bakery into an empire. Giovanni took over in 2011 and expanded the brand globally. Today, Ferrero products are sold in over 170 countries, and the company is one of the largest chocolate producers in the world.

What’s fascinating is that Ferrero’s wealth isn’t tied to trends — people will always buy chocolate, whether the economy is booming or struggling. That stability makes Giovanni one of Europe’s most secure billionaires.

2. Andrea Pignataro – $34.2 Billion

Age: 54
Source of Wealth: Financial software (ION Group)
Industry: Finance & Investments

Andrea Pignataro is proof that tech wealth isn’t just a Silicon Valley thing. A former bond trader, he founded ION Group, a financial software company that has become indispensable to banks, asset managers, and trading firms around the world.

While he keeps a low public profile, his company’s influence is huge — handling billions in financial transactions daily. His approach is almost Warren Buffet–like in discipline: long-term thinking, constant acquisition of complementary businesses, and absolute control of his empire.

3. Giancarlo Devasini – $22.4 Billion

Age: 60
Source of Wealth: Cryptocurrency (Tether)
Industry: Finance & Investments

If you’ve been following the crypto world, you’ll know Tether — the stablecoin pegged to the US dollar. Giancarlo Devasini, its chief financial officer, has ridden the crypto wave to astonishing wealth.

His journey is unconventional. Originally a medical doctor, he moved into electronics trading before eventually diving into cryptocurrency. Tether’s importance in global crypto markets (it’s the most traded cryptocurrency by volume) has made him one of the richest Italians ever.

4. Giorgio Armani – $11.8 Billion

Age: 90
Source of Wealth: Armani fashion empire
Industry: Fashion & Retail

The man needs no introduction. Giorgio Armani is one of the most influential fashion designers in history. From redefining men’s suits in the 1980s to dressing Hollywood stars for the Oscars, Armani turned his name into a global luxury brand.

Even at 90, Armani is still the creative force behind the company. Unlike many fashion houses that sold out to big conglomerates, Armani’s empire is still privately owned. That independence is a huge reason why his fortune is so solid.

5. Paolo Ardoino – $9.5 Billion

Source of Wealth: Cryptocurrency (Tether)
Industry: Finance & Investments

Like Giancarlo Devasini, Paolo Ardoino owes his wealth to Tether, where he serves as CEO. His technical expertise and leadership have helped Tether dominate the stablecoin market.

What’s remarkable here is that two of Italy’s richest men are in crypto — a sign of how digital finance is becoming as important to the Italian economy as fashion or cars.

6. Piero Ferrari & Family – $9.2 Billion

Age: 79
Source of Wealth: Ferrari automobiles
Industry: Automotive

Piero Ferrari is the only living son of the legendary Enzo Ferrari. While he doesn’t run Ferrari day-to-day, he owns a significant stake in the company, which went public in 2015.

Ferrari cars are not just vehicles — they’re cultural symbols of speed, elegance, and wealth. That brand prestige keeps the company profitable and Piero’s fortune growing.

7. Francesco Gaetano Caltagirone – $8.2 Billion

Age: 82
Source of Wealth: Cement, diversified holdings
Industry: Construction & Engineering

Francesco Gaetano Caltagirone made his fortune in construction and real estate, but he also has stakes in publishing, banking, and insurance. His diversified approach has kept him financially secure through multiple economic crises.

8. Massimiliana Landini Aleotti & Family – $7.2 Billion

Age: 82
Source of Wealth: Menarini pharmaceuticals
Industry: Healthcare

Massimiliana Landini Aleotti inherited Menarini, a pharmaceutical company, from her late husband. Under her leadership, the company has expanded its reach to over 100 countries, producing both prescription and over-the-counter drugs.

9. Miuccia Prada – $6.6 Billion

Age: 75
Source of Wealth: Prada luxury fashion
Industry: Fashion & Retail

Miuccia Prada took her family’s leather goods business and turned it into a global fashion powerhouse. She’s known for blending minimalist design with intellectual depth, making Prada one of the most respected brands in fashion.

10. Nicoletta Zampillo – $6.6 Billion

Age: 67
Source of Wealth: Luxottica eyeglasses
Industry: Fashion & Retail

Nicoletta Zampillo is the widow of Leonardo Del Vecchio, the founder of Luxottica, the largest eyewear company in the world (think Ray-Ban, Oakley, and countless designer frames). She inherited a significant portion of his fortune, keeping her in the billionaire club.

Key Observations from the List

1. Diversity of industries – Italy’s wealthiest aren’t just in one sector. We see fortunes from food, fashion, automobiles, construction, healthcare, and now, cryptocurrency.

2. Legacy vs. Innovation – While some billionaires built their wealth through modern tech (crypto, software), many inherited and expanded family businesses that are decades or even centuries old.

3. Private control matters – Several billionaires, like Armani and Ferrero, run privately owned empires, allowing them to keep control and profits in the family.

Final Thoughts

Italy’s richest men are more than just wealthy individuals — they are custodians of brands and industries that shape global culture. From Nutella jars on breakfast tables to Ferraris on racetracks and Prada handbags in fashion capitals, these billionaires influence the way the world eats, dresses, and even invests.

Their wealth is a blend of tradition and innovation, proving that in business, both heritage and forward-thinking are powerful assets.