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| Giorgio Armani |
Giorgio Armani, the Italian fashion designer who built one of the world’s biggest private luxury houses, has died. He was 91.
Armani’s fashion house announced his death on Thursday. The statement called him the company’s “creator, founder and tireless driving force.” It said staff and family will “protect what he built” and carry the brand forward.
Armani was born July 11, 1934, in Piacenza, northwest Italy. He founded his label in 1975 and rose to global fame for a loose, pared-back silhouette. He brought Italian ready-to-wear into the mainstream.
The designer died at home in Milan, the fashion house said. The company added he worked until his final days and remained committed to running the business.
He led a group that posted €2.3 billion in revenue for 2024. The firm said it will hold a public viewing in Milan before a private funeral.
Armani built an empire beyond clothes. The Armani Group included couture, ready-to-wear, fragrances, homewares, and hotels. The business stayed privately held under Armani’s control for decades.
Estimates of his personal fortune vary. The Bloomberg Billionaires Index placed his net worth near $9.4 billion. Forbes estimated roughly $12.1 billion. Both figures reflect his near-total ownership of the business.
Armani first drew broad attention after dressing Richard Gere in the 1980 film “American Gigolo.” That exposure helped his look reach film sets and red carpets around the world.
He missed Milan Fashion Week in June 2025 for health reasons. That absence was one of the first public signs that the designer’s health had declined.
Inside the company, long-time collaborators and family members have already played top roles. Names cited by the firm include niece Silvana Armani and close aide Pantaleo (Leo) Dell’Orco. The house said they will keep the work going.
Tributes arrived from fashion figures, actors and political leaders. Donatella Versace called him “a giant.” Italy’s prime minister praised his role in promoting Italian style and creativity. Actors and industry editors also paid their respects.
Armani’s style changed how people dressed at work and on the red carpet. His unstructured jackets and soft shoulders reshaped men’s tailoring. Women’s suits from his house helped shape office wear in the 1980s and after.
Financial filings showed a tougher year in 2024. Core profit fell by about 24%, and the group increased investment to renovate stores and build e-commerce capacity. The company said these moves were long-term bets on stability.
Despite the business dip, the firm kept a strong cash position at year end and kept ownership private. Armani’s tight hold on his company was central to its identity.
Armani’s life included close partnerships. He and Sergio Galeotti launched the company together in 1975. Galeotti later died in 1985; Armani spoke often about their bond.
International press and fashion historians have long linked Armani’s rise to the global spread of Milanese fashion. Designers and editors credit him with making Italian style a global standard.
The fashion house said a funeral chamber will open in Milan this weekend. The event will let the public pay respects. The funeral itself will be private.
The Armani Group’s statement closed with a pledge to carry the company forward “with respect, responsibility and love.” The firm did not give further detail on the cause of death.
At the time of his death, Armani’s name remained central to the collections he created. Designers, editors and longtime staff often described his touch in product lines and live shows. Many of them said his work will be part of the brand’s future.
Public reaction spread across fashion, film and public life. Social posts and official statements highlighted his role in dressing leaders, stars and executives for five decades.
Armani’s passing comes just weeks before a planned event tied to the house’s 50th anniversary during Milan Fashion Week. That milestone was to mark five decades since the brand’s first ready-to-wear shows.
Giorgio Armani is survived by his sister and several nieces and nephews, many of whom worked in the business. The company named family and long-time collaborators as key figures who will help guide the house.
