Origins & Early Life

Michele Ferrero (Italian pronunciation: [miˈkɛːle ferˈrɛːro]; 26 April 1925 – 14 February 2015) was an Italian billionaire businessman. He owned the chocolate manufacturer Ferrero SpA, Europe's second-largest confectionery company (at the time of his death), which he developed from the small bakery and café of his father in Alba, Piedmont. His first big success was his work with Francesco Rivella in adding vegetable oil to the traditional gianduja paste to make the popular spread Nutella. Michele Ferrero was born on 26 April 1925 in Dogliani, the only child of Pietro Ferrero, who founded the Ferrero company, and his wife Piera Cillario.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Ferrero joined the firm in 1949. He was the richest person in Italy, with a personal wealth of $26 billion surpassing Silvio Berlusconi in March 2008. In May 2014, the Bloomberg Billionaires Index listed Ferrero as the 20th richest person in the world. Ferrero's brands include Nutella, Mon Chéri, Kinder Chocolate, Ferrero Rocher, Tic Tacs and Kinder Eggs. From 1997, his sons, Pietro Ferrero Jr.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

and his brother Giovanni Ferrero, co-led the company. After Pietro died in April 2011, Giovanni became the sole CEO.

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• 1925 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1925
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• 2015 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 2015
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