 |
Margherita SarfattiItalian politician, journalist, lover of Benito Mussolini
Date of Birth: 08.04.1880
Country:  Italy |
Content:
- Early Life and Activism
- - Became one of Mussolini's closest confidants and collaborators
- - Son Roberto died on the front lines in 1918
- - Extolled Mussolini's fascist ideology in her writings
- Break with Mussolini:
- Exile and Death
Early Life and Activism
Margaret Sarfatti:- Born Margherita Grassini Levi on April 8, 1880, in Venice, Italy
- Prominent and wealthy family with legal and political connections
- Fluent in multiple languages by age 10
- Early passion for art collecting and art criticism
Marriage and Political Involvement
Marrying Cesare Sarfatti:
- Married lawyer and socialist Cesare Sarfatti in 1898
- Joined the Socialist Party and became active members
- Moved to Milan in 1902
- Gave birth to son Roberto in 1900 and daughter Fiammetta in 1909
Affair with Benito Mussolini
Meeting Mussolini:
- Met Mussolini in 1912 when he became editor of "Avanti!"
- Developed a close relationship that evolved into a love affair
Influence on Mussolini:
- Mussolini's sister Edwige claimed that Sarfatti "changed the psychological and emotional makeup of his character"
- Became one of Mussolini's closest confidants and collaborators
Fascism and the "Jewish Mother of Fascism"From Socialism to Fascism:
- Supported Italy's entry into World War I, alienating the Socialist Party
- Son Roberto died on the front lines in 1918
Propaganda for Mussolini:- Published "The Life of Benito Mussolini" in 1925, which boosted Mussolini's international recognition
- Extolled Mussolini's fascist ideology in her writings
- Earned the nickname "Jewish Mother of Italian Fascism"Racial Views and Deteriorating Relationship
Shift in Racial Views:
- Historian Simonetta Urso suggests that Sarfatti adopted Mussolini's racist views
- Historian Giorgio Fabre cites pre-Mussolini writings indicating that Sarfatti held negative views of non-white races
Break with Mussolini:
- Mussolini's relationship with Sarfatti deteriorated due to younger rivals and pressure from fellow fascists
- Sarfatti faced anti-Semitic discrimination after Mussolini's anti-Jewish laws were implemented
Exile and Death
Post-Mussolini Life:- Exiled to Paris and Latin America
- Returned to Italy after the war and died on October 30, 1961, in Cavallasca
- Left behind over 1000 letters from Mussolini, whose location remains unknown
