The name ‘Gucci’ is interwoven with the world of high fashion, and perhaps this story only adds to the allure of the brand.

A brief summary of the relationship between Patrizia Reggiani and Maurizio Gucci then, who became one of Italy’s most high-profile celeb couples following their marriage in 1973.

Reggiani was dubbed the “Liz Taylor of luxury labels” in the 1970s and 80s, embodying the glitz and glamour that was synonymous with Gucci.

Maurizio, on the other hand, had been at the forefront of infighting amongst the company heirs. He had ousted his relatives for control and became CEO in 1992, only to be forced to sell his controlling stake shortly after.

That was just the tip of the iceberg though, because it all went south for Maurizio after he divorced Reggiani. She hired a hitman to murder him, Gucci gunned down in 1995, at the age of 46 in his office.

A snippet from the Guardian, who have all the scandal outlined in great detail, just to whet your whistle:

After Reggiani was arrested, the media dubbed her Vedova Nera – the Black Widow – and touted all the stereotypical theories about her likely motives. She was jealous of Maurizio’s girlfriend, she wanted his money, she was bitter about his neglect, she was plain mad.

If there is a grain of truth in any of these, there was also something deeper, too. “Everything Reggiani was stemmed from being a Gucci,” says Ferrè. “It was her whole identity, even as an ex-wife. She was furious with Maurizio for selling out.”

Even after her release from prison, Reggiani couldn’t let go. She [said] in 2014 that, now she was available again, she hoped to return to the company fold. “They need me,” she said. “I still feel like a Gucci – in fact, the most Gucci of them all.”

You better click HERE to read the full story, before I get stuck in and we all lose half a day.

It’s juicy, I can assure you of that.

[source:guardian]