-- Born in 1948 in Milan to an entrepreneurial family.

-- Education: MBA from Bocconi University, Milan.

-- Started his career managing the family energy business 1973-1986.

-- Joined Pirelli in 1978 after marrying Cecilia Pirelli, daughter of Pirelli Chairman Leopoldo. Appointed chairman in 1996.

-- With the Benetton family, grabs control of Telecom Italia from Olivetti's Roberto Colaninno on July 30.

-- He's a regular at La Scala and matches of soccer club Inter Milan, in which Pirelli holds a 13% stake.

-- Has three children but is now divorced. Companion is Algerian ex-model Afef.

Data: BusinessWeek, company reports