Editor’s Note
We reflect on the legacy of Francesco Trapani, the visionary leader who transformed Bulgari into a global luxury powerhouse. His three-decade tenure, beginning at age 27, was marked by strategic diversification and international expansion. Our thoughts are with his family and colleagues.
Francesco Trapani, the 68-year-old entrepreneur and manager, a descendant of the Bulgari family, passed away yesterday at his home in Rome. He took over the family business in 1984 at the age of just 27, coinciding with the company’s centennial year, and served as its CEO for three decades. Under his leadership, the brand specializing in jewelry, watches, perfumes, leather goods, and luxury hospitality embarked on a diversification process and accelerated the internationalization of its operations.
Francesco Trapani was notably the architect of Bulgari’s listing on the Italian stock exchange in July 1995, where it remained until 2011 when the brand became part of the French group LVMH. Concurrently, further initiatives were undertaken to strengthen the brand’s global recognition, such as the establishment of Bulgari Hotels & Resorts, a joint venture with Marriott International / Ritz-Carlton.
The Bulgari Group transformed into a global luxury powerhouse with a product portfolio spanning jewelry, watches, accessories, perfumes, and hotels, achieving a turnover of approximately 1.5 billion euros, employing 4,000 people, and operating 300 stores worldwide.
Following the completion of Bulgari’s integration into the French group, Francesco Trapani found new professional challenges in executive positions at Clessidra, Bluebell Capital Partners, Tiffany, Tages Group, and Vam Investments. He is survived by his four children: Rebecca, Agostino, Vittoria, and Allegra.