Patrizio Bertelli

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Patrizio Bertelli (born 6 April 1946) is an Italian billionaire, businessman and the former co-chief executive officer (CEO), alongside his wife, Miuccia Prada, of Prada Group.^[1] As of October 2024, his net worth was estimated at US$5.7 billion.^[2]

Born in the Tuscan city of Arezzo in 1946, Patrizio Bertelli began his professional life in the leather goods industry, leading the way to his entrepreneurial future in the luxury industry. At age 21, while still a university student, he founded a small leather goods company Sir Robert which has been the base of his entrepreneurial career ever since.^[3]

In the late 1970s, he met Miuccia Prada, granddaughter of Mario Prada, founder of the Prada brand. They started a professional relationship, which became more personal and later led to their marriage.

In the 1980s, Bertelli introduced a new business model within the luxury goods industry when he brought all internal processes together to have full control of the production line and quality standards. This involved a product differentiation strategy, the development of new collections and labels as well as the renovation of all boutiques. With this, the company expanded rapidly through the 1980s and 1990s.

Working in collaboration with Rem Koolhaas and Herzog & de Meuron in the late 1990s, Bertelli and Miuccia Prada launched the “Prada Epicentres” project. In these stores, comfort goods, technology, design, and architecture merge to create a range of services and sensory and audiovisual experiences.^[4]

The “Prada Epicentres” are located in New York (Rem Koolhaas, 2001), Tokyo (Herzog & de Meuron, 2003), and Los Angeles (Rem Koolhaas, 2004).

In 2000, Bertelli received an honorary degree in business economics from the University of Florence.

Later in 2013, Forbes ranked him and his wife as 'one of the most influential couples in the world.'^[5]

As of 2015, Bertelli is together with Miuccia Prada, co-chief executive officer of the Prada Group, which includes Prada, Miu Miu, Church’s, Car Shoe, and Marchesi 1824.

Along with his wife, Bertelli has a passion for contemporary art and culture, which led to the creation of Fondazione Prada in 1993. The Activities of Fondazione Prada span from art exhibitions to architecture, film festivals, philosophy, and other cultural projects, held both in its Venetian palace on the Grand Canal, Ca’ Corner della Regina, and a 19,000 square meter exhibition space in Milan, which opened in May 2015. Some Fondazione Prada projects took place in locations such as Paris, London, Seoul, and Tokyo.

Bertelli also has a passion for sports, in particular for sailing. In 1997, he set up the sailing team Prada Challenge for the America’s Cup 2000, challenging for the America’s Cup. Prada was sponsor of the Luna Rossa team in the 2000, 2003, 2007, and 2013 editions of the America’s Cup, winning the Challengers’ Selection Series in 2000 and making the final in 2007 and 2013.^[6] Bertelli was the first Italian to be inducted into the America's Cup Hall of Fame on 29 June 2012.

Bertelli and Miuccia Prada have two children, and they live in Milan, Italy.^[2] Their two sons were born in 1988 and 1990, the elder being rally driver, who called as Lorenazo Bertelli.

• Prada Group
• Fondazione Prada