Paolo Gucci: His life inside the enigmatic Italian house

"Since the days of Cain and Abel..." reads a statement from the US Department of Justice in the case of Gucci vs. Gucci Shops. Yes, the one where Paolo Gucci sued the family business itself in 1988, "family disputes have been marked by the irrational and impulsive decisions of those involved, the fierce battles that ensue and the senseless destruction they cause," the letter continues. . Although the fight between the Gucci family for power and control of the firm founded by Guccio Gucci in 1921 is not one of biblical proportions as established by the New York Court, it is one of the most relevant for the fashion world. What happened to the Gucci family? A family surrounded by tragedies and family disputes that left the fashion firm out of the hands of Gucci themselves.

Although we had heard relevant issues such as the murder of Maurizio Gucci, when entering the corporate offices, or we had an idea of ​​the relevance of the dispute between Marurizio, Aldo and Paolo for the direction of the company; It wasn't until the announcement of Ridley Scott's film House of Gucci, inspired by the book The House of Gucci: A Sensational Story of Murder, Madness, Glamour, and Greed, written by Sara Gay Forden, that it was unearthed in this contemporaneity the reality about the gloomy past of one of the most relevant fashion firms today. The same story that has left us inquiring about fundamental characters in the development of events such as Maurizio Gucci, Patrizia Reggiani, Pina Auriemma or Paolo Gucci himself.

Who was Paolo Gucci?

Grandson of Guccio Gucci, founder of the Italian fashion firm in 1921, Paolo was the son of the founder's eldest son, Aldo Gucci, who had two brothers, Rodolfo and Vasco. The three sons of the founder were the ones who took charge of the expansion of the Florentine brand and who made Gucci reach Rome and Milan in the thirties and even the United States in the fifties. When Guccio passed away in 1953, they were the ones who took over the company; fundamental question to explain the development of events that exploded in the eighties between the children and grandchildren of the founder, specifically with the death of Rodolfo Gucci.

From an early age, Paolo Gucci was immersed in design issues within the fashion firm, from his beginnings in the company in 1952, Paolo worked as a designer and stylist for the firm, until at the end of the sixties he obtained the position as Chief Designer, followed by a series of moves between Florence, taking over the Florentine factory after the death of his uncle Vasco Gucci, and by 1978 he was appointed by his father (Aldo Gucci) as vice president of marketing for the company and moved to New York. What seemed like something quite comfortable, turned out to be a debacle for Paolo when he discovered that same year that Guccio Gucci's grandson worked designing bags for a brand in Haiti that directly competed with the family firm. Which caused immediate dismissal from the company.

However, the estimates in the New York Court in the Paolo Gucci vs. Gucci Shops, Inc; They determined that the necessary evidence did not exist to show Paolo Gucci's interference in the other fashion firms, and by dismissing the lawsuit, his position as heir to the firm was restored. Not having the same luck in the family position, where he was excluded and, as the trial mentions, "he has not received compensation or any other form of remuneration from any Gucci entity since July 1982."

Paolo Gucci, the cousin of Maurizio Gucci

This was not the end of the family problem, on the contrary, it was the beginning of the end of the company with the death of Rodolfo Gucci in 1982. Which caused his son, and Paolo's cousin, Maurizio Gucci, to take over 50%. of the company's shares, leaving Aldo Gucci and the other heirs with the other half of the shares, which now generated a dispute between Ado and Maurizio to have control of the Florentine firm. By 1983, in an effort to continue in the world of fashion, Paolo Gucci began a series of collaborations with different brands, including Italia Italia and Saffron, where Guccio Gucci's grandson used his name as his own brand, an issue that was not pleased the company and started another lawsuit by counting the firm with the trademark of 'Gucci'.

By 1984, the alliance between cousins ​​was essential for Maurizio to take full control of the company, leaving his uncle and Paolo's father, Aldo, out of the company. This 'reconciliation' was agreed at the time that Paolo sold his stake as a shareholder to Maurizio, while Paolo received licenses to market the name 'Gucci'. In addition, this same pact led to Paolo's notice to the IRS about Aldo Gucci's tax evasion, which ended with the sentence of one year in prison to Paolo Gucci's father, and which catapulted Maurizio as president of the firm. , as well as Chairman of the Board of Directors.

However, the deal only left Paolo with a 10% down payment, and which was to take effect at the end of 1984, was never consummated. Leaving him out of the company and resolving the dispute, now with his cousin, again in court. By 1987, Paolo Gucci sold his shares to Investcorp for 42.5 million dollars, ending the aspirations of the company that Maurizio Gucci would sell in 1993. The same year that Paolo declared bankruptcy due to mismanagement and what would lead him to a five-week prison sentence for non-support to his second wife Jenny Garwood in 1994. By 1995, just a few months after the murder of Maurizio Gucci, Paolo Gucci dies at the age of 64 due to chronic hepatitis.

Jared Leto is Paolo Gucci in House of Gucci

We know very well that if we talk about chameleon actors, one of the first that comes to mind is the name of Jared Leto, who will play Paolo Gucci. With a real change of look, amazing makeup and a very outstanding personification, the Oscar winner for best supporting actor for his role in Dallas Buyers Club in 2013, will embody the tragic story full of family disputes of Paolo Gucci. It is expected that, either by his interpretation or that of actors such as Lady Gaga, Adam Driver, Al Paccino or Salma Hayek herself, the formula that led the 30 Seconds to Mars singer to take home the award will be repeated.