Explore the close-knit world of Gianni Versace siblings: Santo, Donatella, and the late Tina, who shaped the Versace legacy.
Gianni Versace, the iconic fashion designer whose life was tragically cut short, was not the only talented individual in his family.
His siblings—Donatella, Santo, and the late Tina Versace—have their own compelling stories.
Each of them played a unique role in the legacy of the Versace fashion empire and their personal lives were equally engaging.
This article delves into the lesser-known stories of Gianni Versace siblings.
Also read: Alexandre Muller Girlfriend: Is He Dating Julie Démoulins? Relationship Timeline
Who Are Gianni Versace Siblings?
As mentioned earlier, Gianni Versace has three siblings: Donatella, Santo, and the late Tina Versace. First, let’s discuss Tina Versace, who is no longer among us.
Fortunata Versace, fondly known as Tina, was the eldest child of the Versace family, born to Antonio and Francesca Versace.
Unfortunately, she passed away at a tender age, leaving a void in the family. The circumstances surrounding her death are heart-wrenching.
In 1952, Tina went to a carnival with her parents and younger brothers, Santo and Gianni. She scraped her knee after a fall, which later led to a tetanus infection.
Sadly, the doctor treated her with the wrong medicine, and Tina died within 24 hours, still wearing her party dress.
The official cause of her death was peritonitis, an inflammation of the peritoneum, caused by a bacterial infection.
In an interview with the New Yorker, Donatella Versace remarked, “Sudden death is frequent in my family,” drawing parallels between Tina’s death and Gianni’s assassination.
Gianni Versace Brother Santo Versace: The Pillar of the Versace Empire
Similarly, Santo Versace, Gianni’s older brother, took on a significant role in the family business. At 73 years old, he is currently the president and co-CEO of Gianni Versace SpA.
After Gianni’s assassination, Santo inherited 30% of the Versace fashion brand and focused primarily on the financial aspect of the business.
In 1981, Santo married Christiana Cavalli, and the couple had two children: Francesca Christiana and Antonio Tina Santo.
Unfortunately, the marriage ended in divorce in 2004. Likewise, Santo remarried in 2014 to lawyer Francesca de Stefano, with whom he had one daughter, Ramona Francesca.
His leadership and financial acumen have been instrumental in ensuring the Versace brand’s continuity and success.
Gianni Versace Sister Donatella Versace: The Torchbearer
Donatella, the most recognizable among the Gianni Versace siblings, took over the company’s reins after Gianni’s death. She inherited a 20% share and became the artistic director of Versace in 1997.
Initially, Donatella faced numerous challenges.
In an interview with the Guardian, she confessed she felt lost during the first five years after Gianni’s death as she grappled with the monumental task of filling her brother’s shoes.
“My brother was the king, and my whole world had crashed around me,” she said. Donatella has overcome significant personal challenges as well.
Her marriage to model Paul Beck, with whom she had two children daughter Allegra and son Daniel ended in divorce in 2000. Likewise, her second marriage to businessman Manuel Dallori lasted only five years.
Today, Donatella continues to honor her brother’s legacy. Before every fashion show, she takes a moment to reflect on whether Gianni would approve of her work.
The Gianni Versace siblings Donatella, Santo, and the late Tina each add a different layer to the rich tapestry of the Versace family history.
While Tina’s life was tragically short, her story is a poignant part of the family’s narrative.
Also read: Who Is Carole Baskin Brother? Siblings
ncG1vNJzZmispqi1sMPSrZirq16YvK57zJ6crWWXnq6vushmrZ6qo5awpnnSopmloZ6cwG6wzqeYrZ2coa5uv8Cnq6hlkaOxbsDIp5ho