Sergio Mattarella

Sergio Mattarella is an Italian politician and jurist who has served as the 12th President of Italy since February 2015. He holds the distinction of being the longest-serving president in the history of the Italian Republic. As of 2026, he remains the only living former President of Italy following the death of his predecessor Giorgio Napolitano in 2023.

A graduate of the University of Rome La Sapienza with a summa cum laude law degree, Mattarella began his career as a constitutional law professor before entering politics. He played a pivotal role in the Christian Democracy party and later helped found the Italian People's Party and the Democratic Party. His presidency has been defined by his efforts to maintain democratic stability during periods of intense political fragmentation and economic crisis. [edit]

Born on July 23, 1941, in Palermo, Sicily, Sergio Mattarella entered the world into a family deeply entrenched in public service. His father, Bernardo Mattarella, was a member of the Constituent Assembly and a senator for the Christian Democracy party. This political lineage set the stage for Sergio's future, but it was a personal tragedy that would most profoundly shape his character and career path.

When Sergio was just 19 years old, his uncle Piersanti Mattarella, then the President of the Regional Government of Sicily, was assassinated by the Mafia in 1980. The murder of Piersanti sent shockwaves through the island and left a deep scar on the family. Growing up in Palermo, Sergio witnessed the pervasive influence of organized crime firsthand. This experience fueled a lifelong commitment to fighting the Mafia, driving him to pursue legal studies and eventually use his political power to strengthen anti-mafia legislation.

He attended the Liceo Classico Vincenzo Gioberti in Palermo before enrolling at the University of Rome La Sapienza. In 1964, he graduated with honors in Law. Following his education, he did not immediately jump into partisan politics. Instead, he spent nearly two decades as a university assistant and lecturer in constitutional law at the University of Palermo, teaching from 1967 until 1983. During these years, he established himself as a respected scholar of the Italian Constitution, laying the intellectual groundwork for his future role as its guardian. [edit]

Mattarella's entry into national politics came in 1983 when he was elected to the Chamber of Deputies as a member of the Christian Democracy party. He held this seat continuously until 2008, serving in various ministerial roles along the way. From 1987 to 1989, he acted as Minister for Parliamentary Relations under Prime Minister Bettino Craxi, where he navigated complex legislative challenges. He subsequently served as Minister of Education from 1989 to 1990 under Giulio Andreotti.

The collapse of the Christian Democracy party amidst corruption scandals in the early 1990s marked a turning point. Mattarella became a key founder of the Italian People's Party in 1994. He returned to government as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence from 1998 to 2001 under Prime Minister Massimo D'Alema, overseeing Italy's participation in NATO operations in Kosovo. Later, he joined The Daisy party in 2002 and helped establish the Democratic Party in 2007 before retiring from active partisan politics in 2008.

In 2011, he transitioned to the judicial branch, serving as a judge on the Constitutional Court of Italy until 2015. On January 31, 2015, after four rounds of voting, he was elected President of Italy, succeeding Giorgio Napolitano. Despite initially stating he would not seek re-election, he was re-elected on January 29, 2022, becoming only the second president in Italian history to serve two consecutive terms. Since taking office, he has overseen five different prime ministers: Matteo Renzi, Paolo Gentiloni, Giuseppe Conte, Mario Draghi, and Giorgia Meloni. [edit]

Mattarella projects an image of dignity, reserve, and impartiality. Standing approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall, he typically wears dark suits, white shirts, and conservative ties, reflecting his background as a jurist. Media portrayals emphasize his paternal authority, often referring to him as the "guardian of the Constitution" due to his frequent interventions in political crises. His demeanor is described as calm and authoritative, which has earned him widespread respect across the political spectrum. [edit]

iFANN has not yet collected fame data for this person. While he does not appear on the September 2026 iFAMOUS Rankings flagship list, his standing in Italy is distinct from typical celebrity metrics. He enjoys exceptionally high approval ratings among the Italian electorate, often exceeding 70 to 80 percent, particularly during times of political turmoil. Citizens often refer to him with terms of endearment such as "Il Presidente" or "Nonno Mattarella," reflecting his image as a wise, paternal figure rather than a pop culture icon. Support for his presidency often manifests as petitions and online movements driven by a desire for stability rather than traditional fandom rituals. [edit]

Sergio Mattarella holds the unique distinction of being the first person from Sicily to become President of Italy. Before entering full-time politics, he was a prolific author of legal texts on the Italian Constitution, establishing his reputation as a leading constitutional scholar. He is known for his frugal lifestyle and lack of interest in luxury, often preferring simple meals and avoiding ostentatious displays of wealth despite his high office. A practicing Catholic, he frequently references his faith in his speeches and public addresses. Unlike many high-profile politicians, he maintains a very low profile regarding his family life, rarely granting interviews about his personal relationships or allowing his children to appear in the media. [edit]

Sergio Mattarella has been married to Marisa Chiazzese, a schoolteacher, since their wedding in 1968. She has remained a constant presence throughout his long political career. Together they have three children: Marco, Maria, and Giovanni. The family lives a relatively private life away from the spotlight. Mattarella's father, Bernardo, was a prominent senator, and his uncle Piersanti served as the President of Sicily until his assassination by the Mafia in 1980. The loss of his uncle deeply influenced Sergio's dedication to justice and the rule of law. [edit]

Marisa Chiazzese (Wife), Giorgio Napolitano (Predecessor), Matteo Renzi (Former PM), Giuseppe Conte (Former PM), Mario Draghi (Former PM), Giorgia Meloni (Current PM), Bernardo Mattarella (Father), Piersanti Mattarella (Uncle). [edit]

Sergio Mattarella has maintained a single, long-standing marriage throughout his adult life. He wed Marisa Chiazzese, a schoolteacher, in 1968. Their union has lasted over five decades, providing a stable foundation during his rise through the ranks of Italian politics. They have three children together: Marco, Maria, and Giovanni. Unlike many high-profile politicians, Mattarella keeps his family life extremely private, rarely granting interviews about his personal relationships or allowing his children to appear in the media. There are no public records of any prior romantic relationships, engagements, or divorces. As of 2026, he remains married to Marisa Chiazzese. [edit]

As a public official serving as the President of Italy, Sergio Mattarella receives a fixed annual salary set by law, rather than accumulating wealth through commercial ventures or endorsements. The iFANN Editorial Team estimates his net worth at approximately $2.5 million based on the accumulation of a lifetime salary as a professor, parliamentarian, minister, and judge, combined with property ownership in Palermo and Rome. His income streams include his tenure as a university professor prior to 1983, salaries from parliamentary service from 1983 to 2008, ministerial salaries from 1987 to 2001, and his current presidential salary. He owns residential properties but has no known business ventures or investment portfolios comparable to entertainment industry figures. Financial disclosures are subject to strict constitutional oversight to ensure no conflicts of interest arise from his office. [edit]

Mattarella has received numerous national honours including the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic and the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St. Sylvester. He has also received honorary doctorates from the University of Palermo and the University of Rome La Sapienza. In October 2026, he personally conferred the title of Grand Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic on renowned mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli in Monaco. [edit]