Who is Valentino Garavani? Iconic Italian fashion designer dead at 93; Check cause of death and his net worth

Valentino Garavani, the celebrated Italian fashion designer famed for his jet-set lifestyle and high-glamour gowns in his signature 'Valentino red', has died at his home in Rome, his foundation announced on Monday. He was 93. A defining figure in global fashion for nearly 50 years, Valentino dressed royalty, movie stars and socialites, making his name synonymous with elegance and timeless luxury. His dramatic yet refined creations became staples of international fashion shows and red carpets around the world.

The designer’s body will lie in state at the Valentino Garavani Foundation headquarters in Rome on Wednesday and Thursday, allowing admirers to pay their respects. His funeral service is scheduled for Friday at the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri, located in Rome’s Piazza della Repubblica.

"Valentino Garavani was not only a constant guide and inspiration for all of us, but a true source of light, creativity and vision," the foundation said in a statement posted on social media.

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Valentino, was known in the industry as the 'emperor', built one of the country's most celebrated luxury houses. He was ranked alongside Giorgio Armani and Karl Lagerfeld as one of the last great designers of a leading generation, emerging from a time before fashion evolved into a highly commercialised industry.

Passionate about cinema, Valentino dreamed as a young man of dressing what he called the 'beautiful ladies of the silver screen', including 1950s Hollywood icons Lana Turner and Judy Garland. That dream later became reality: he went on to design Elizabeth Taylor’s wedding gown and became a first-choice designer for many Oscar-winning actresses, among them Sharon Stone and Penélope Cruz.


Valentino’s legacy also extends to philanthropy. Through Fondazione Valentino Garavani e Giancarlo Giammetti, as reported by Marca, he supported arts education, the preservation of Italy’s cultural heritage, and charitable initiatives connected to fashion and design.



VALENTINO GARAVANI'S NET WORTH

According to Marca, Valentino’s net worth at the time of death was estimated at about $1.5 billion, built through decades of creative discipline and smart business choices. His wealth rested on couture prestige, ready-to-wear growth and long-term brand monetisation. A key moment came in the late 1990s, when Valentino and partner Giancarlo Giammetti sold the Valentino Fashion Group to Italian conglomerate HdP for roughly $300 million. Valentino, who was more than a designer, was a visionary who transformed haute couture into a global fashion empire.