Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.
It’s tempting to wonder whether the movers and shakers behind America’s Automotive Hall of Fame deliberately over-looked the somewhat fruity personal life of new inductee Lapo Elkann, or simply didn’t know about it.
Mr Elkann, a member of the mighty Agnelli dynasty that built up the Fiat car empire, has just received the Hall of Fame’s “Young Leadership & Excellence Award” for his contribution to the rejuvenation of the car firm’s image. Before Mr Elkann, the only Italian to be recognised by the institution was Fiat’s legendary patriarch Gianni Agnelli – Elkann’s grandfather – who led the family’s automotive empire from 1966 to 1996. In PR terms, Mr Elkann probably deserves another award for the way he’s repaired his own image.
As a member of the family known as “Italy’s Kennedys”, the gilded young executive appeared to have it all – wealth, good looks and a reputation as one of Italy’s most eligible bachelors. But rather like the Kennedys, disaster was close at hand. In October 2005, aged 28, he was rushed to hospital and almost died after overdosing on cocaine while partying near Turin with a 54-year-old transsexual hooker called Patrizia.
His misadventure made the front page of every Italian newspaper – including the one owned by his family. When he recovered, he fled to the States, where he presumably didn’t make all the front pages – and where his rehabilitation began.
If grandfather Gianni was spinning in his grave in 2005, he can rest a bit easier now.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments