Diego Della Valle

Family, youth and studies

Diego Della Valle is the elder son of Dorino Della Valle and grandson of Filippo Della Valle. Filippo started his shoemaking business in the 1920s, which Diego expanded into the now-famous Tod's brand.

In his younger days, Diego studied Law at the University of Bologna having got that academic degree in 1975, conciliating since 2000 the career and the marketing of the family's shoemaking business.

Even during his younger days, Diego was business savvy: Diego used the power of celebrity to popularise his product, such an example was to have once persuaded his friend Luca di Montezemolo, who was a protégé of the then Fiat boss Gianni Agnelli, to present Agnelli with a pair of Tod's driving moccasins – the lawyer got Agnelli to wear Tod's shoes when attending Juventus football matches, which were widely televised; this product placement prompted a spike in sales.

Later

Diego now manages Tod's with his brother Andrea. Diego's older son, Emanuele, is also involved with the family business as the creative director. The factory in Casette d'Ete was designed by his wife, Barbara.

Other interests

Diego sits on the board of a number of companies, such as Ferrari, Maserati, Banca Nazionale del Lavoro and LVMH.

Sporting diligence

Diego bought the Tuscan football club ACF Fiorentina in 2002 owning it since that year, and owns the fashion brand Maison Schiaparelli which he is reviving. He sold ACF Fiorentina to Rocco Commisso at the end of the 2018/2019 season.

Historical culture

In 2013, he announced that he would take the restoration of the Colosseum, of Rome – by the costs of more than €30 mi.

Diego has publicly attacked Silvio Berlusconi for the over-taxing of big business and his failure to support smaller Italian businesses. In return, Berlusconi has talked of suing Diego for defamation.