Angelo Rizzoli, the father of Andrea Rizzoli, Eleonora Giorgi's eldest son, has been in the spotlight recently due to his son's frequent appearances on television alongside his mother. But who was Angelo exactly?
Angelo Giorgio Rizzoli was born in Como on November 12, 1943, to Lucia Solmi and Andrea Rizzoli, founder of the renowned publishing house Rizzoli, which became the leading Italian publishing group in the 1970s. Angelo followed in his father's footsteps, becoming a prominent publisher, film and television producer during his career.
His life was also marked by legal and health issues. In the 1970s, Angelo met Eleonora Giorgi, and they married in 1979. After four years and the birth of their son, Andrea, the couple separated. Angelo was arrested for fraudulent bankruptcy, and this scandal caused a significant rift in the relationship. Another crucial factor that led to their divorce was Angelo's decision not to move to New York with his wife, preferring to stay in Italy.
Later, the producer met Melania De Nichilo Rizzoli, whom he married in 1991 and had two more children with: Alberto and Arrigo.
Throughout his life, Angelo Rizzoli faced numerous health challenges. He suffered from multiple sclerosis and passed away in 2013 at the age of 70 due to cardiovascular complications. Despite the divorce and legal troubles, Eleonora Giorgi always expressed affection for her ex-husband. Notably, the actress has repeatedly credited him with helping her overcome her drug addiction. "I found in him a person who loved me, and I escaped the drug tunnel. He saw me for who I was and never doubted that I would get better soon," Giorgi said.
While Andrea is the son of two well-known parents, he has always maintained a private life. In the past, he made headlines for his marriage to Alice Bellagamba, a former student of Amici, from whom he separated in 2016. Recently, he has given several television interviews alongside his mother, who is battling pancreatic cancer. In recent months, he has also written the book "Non ci sono buone notizie" (There is no good news), which explores his relationship with his mother and her illness.