Widow, who created Salvatore Ferragamo fashion empire from family shoe business, dies at 96
Wanda Ferragamo and her six children transformed Italian firm by launching handbags, scarves and ready-to-wear clothes after husband’s death in 1960
Wanda Ferragamo, who took over her husband’s shoe-design and manufacturing business after his death and – with the help of her children – expanded the company Salvatore Ferragamo into a global fashion empire, has died aged 96.
Her family issued a statement confirming that she died on October 19 at her home in Fiesole, Italy.
The cause was not disclosed.
Ferragamo had no experience in business or in designing shoes when her husband, more than 20 years her senior, died in 1960.
She had six children, the youngest of whom was two, when she assumed the presidency of the company her husband had founded.
“In those early days I felt an energy like a lion,” Ferragamo told People magazine in 1983.
“Everyone was surprised, but I realised it was no use to be alone crying about my destiny.
“I wanted to keep alive all the efforts my husband made.”