Giovanni “Gianni” Agnelli, was an Italian industrialist and principal shareholder of Fiat. As the head of Fiat, he controlled 4.4% of Italy’s GDP, 3.1% of its industrial workforce and 16.5% of its industrial investment in research
Agnelli was born in Turin, to an industrialist ,Fiat family. Agnelli was named after his grandfather Giovanni Agnelli, inherited the command of Fiat and the Agnelli family assets in general in 1966. Agnelli raised Fiat to become the most important company in Italy, and one of the major car-builders of Europe. He also developed the accessory business, with minor companies also operating in military industry.Agnelli was educated at Pinerolo Cavalry Academy, and studied law at the University of Turin, although he never practiced law. He joined a tank regiment in June 1940 when Italy entered World War II on the side of the Axis powers. Agnelli became president of Fiat in 1966. He opened factories in many places, including Russia and South America, and started international alliances and joint-ventures , which marked a new industrial mentality. His relationships with the Left, were the essence of the relationships between labour forces and Italian industry. Agnelli was always keeping the leading role; in the 1980s, during the last important trade union action, a dramatic situation in which a strike was blocking all of Fiat’s production, he was able to organise the march of 40,000 workers who broke the pickets and re-entered the factories. This marked the demise of the power of trade unions, which to this day have not recovered their influence on Italy’s politics and economy. Agnelli was named senator for life in 1991 and subscribed to the independent parliamentary group; he was later named a member of the senate’s defence commission. Agnelli stepped down in 1996, but stayed on as honorary chairman until his death. Agnelli’s fashion sense and style inspired and influenced menswear throughout the years in Italy and around the world. In his retirement speech, Milanese fashion designer Nino Cerruti named Agnelli as one of his biggest inspirations along with James Bond and John F. Kennedy. Esquire magazine named Agnelli as one of five best dressed men in the history of the World.