Francesco Trapani, the Bulgari heir who reinvigorated the century-old brand and later oversaw its sale to LVMH, died on Sept. 10. He was 68.
Trapani, the great-grandson of the luxury jeweler’s founder, Sotirio Bulgari, joined the family business in 1981 and became its CEO three years later, at age 28. He was known for not just growing the company but expanding its offerings to perfume, watches, and hotels.
“In just three decades [he] turned a small but beautiful Italian jewelry company into a global leader in jewelry but also watches or high hospitality,” current Bulgari president Jean-Christophe Babin wrote on LinkedIn. “[That was] one of the most visionary moves ever, venturing into immersive and experiential luxury when these words didn’t even existed.”
After taking Bulgari public in 1995, Trapani sold the business to LVMH in 2011. Following the acquisition, he remained CEO of Bulgari and also took over LVMH’s watches and jewelry division.
Three years later, he began a new role as an adviser to LVMH chair Bernard Arnault. Trapani left the conglomerate in 2017 when he took a seat as a board member of Tiffany. Reuters eventually credited him with helping engineer the brand’s sale to LVMH.
He later started an activist investment firm, Bluebell Active Equity Fund. Trapani’s ties to LVMH became an issue when Bluebell nominated him for a board seat at rival Richemont, and shareholders rejected his appointment.
Bulgari wrote on LinkedIn that Trapani’s “strategic insight and relentless drive helped shape not only the future of our Maison but also left a lasting mark on the entire luxury industry. We are deeply grateful for his extraordinary contributions, his unwavering dedication, and the lasting legacy he leaves behind. His spirit, ambition, and passion for beauty will continue to inspire us all.”
According to WWD, Trapani is survived by four children: Rebecca, Agostino, Vittoria, and Allegra.