Editor’s Note
We remember Francesco Trapani, the former Bulgari CEO who passed away at 68. His leadership was instrumental in shaping the brand’s global legacy. Our thoughts are with his family and colleagues.
Francesco Trapani, the renowned Italian entrepreneur and former CEO of Bulgari, passed away peacefully at his home in Rome on September 10, at the age of 68.
A member of the Bulgari founding family, Trapani took the helm of the high-end jewelry house, founded in 1884, in 1984. He served as CEO for nearly three decades. Under his leadership, Bulgari embarked on a diversification strategy, expanding into watches, perfumes, and luxury hotels. The company was successfully listed on the Milan Stock Exchange in 1995. In 2011, Bulgari was acquired by the French luxury giant LVMH. Trapani subsequently served as the head of LVMH’s Watches and Jewelry division until 2014 and continued as an advisor to Bernard Arnault until 2016.
Following his tenure at LVMH, Trapani dedicated himself to investment and corporate management. He held significant positions at firms including Clessidra, Bluebell Capital Partners, Tiffany, Tages Group, and VAM Investments, where he served as Chairman of the Florence Group. He joined the board of Tiffany & Co. in 2017 and stepped down in 2019, shortly after LVMH made its acquisition offer for the company.
Trapani is survived by his four children: Rebecca, Agostino, Vittoria, and Allegra. His funeral will be held at the Basilica of Santa Croce in Rome at noon on September 13, 2025.