The aristocratic Agnelli, patriarch of the Fiat auto company, became the symbol of Italy's rejuvenation following his country's disastrous defeat in World War II. While his jetset lifestyle kept the tabloids busy, Agnelli was building a vast financial empire with Turin-based Fiat at its center. His death clouds the company's future, since he was believed to be the last roadblock to a sale of Fiat to General Motors.
Passage: Giovanni Agnelli, 81
The aristocratic Agnelli, patriarch of the Fiat auto company, became the symbol of Italy's rejuvenation following his country's disastrous defeat in World War II. While his jetset lifestyle kept the tabloids busy, Agnelli was building a vast financial empire with Turin-based Fiat at its center. His death clouds the company's future, since he was believed to be the last roadblock to a sale of Fiat to General Motors.
