Michela Vittoria Brambilla Italian journalist, businesswoman and politician Date of Birth: 26.10.1967 Country: Italy

1. Early Life and Education
2. Journalism and Business Career
3. Political Involvement
4. Government Roles
5. Animal Advocacy
6. Parliamentary Record
7. Personal Life

Early Life and Education

Stefania Prestigiacomo was born into a family of steel entrepreneurs in Modica, Sicily. She pursued a degree in philology and philosophy at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Milan. During this time, she also dabbled in modeling.

Journalism and Business Career

In the early 1990s, Prestigiacomo joined the media conglomerate Fininvest, owned by Silvio Berlusconi. She initially worked as a journalist before venturing into business. She held executive roles in the family steel company Trafilerie Brambilla and subsequently founded two food companies, Gruppo Sal and Sotra Coast International.

Political Involvement

Prestigiacomo entered the political arena in 2006 as a candidate for the Chamber of Deputies from Berlusconi's Forza Italia party. Although unsuccessful, she founded the "Clubs of Freedom," an organization aligned with Forza Italia. In 2008, she won a parliamentary seat representing Emilia-Romagna.

Government Roles

Upon the formation of Berlusconi's fourth government in 2008, Prestigiacomo was appointed Undersecretary of State to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, with a focus on tourism. She became Minister of Tourism without Portfolio in May 2009, serving until 2011.

Animal Advocacy

Prestigiacomo is a passionate advocate for animal rights. She founded and leads the Italian League for the Defense of Animals and the Environment (LEIDAA). In 2018, she brought a dead dog's puppy to a press conference in Parliament to demand tougher animal protection laws.

Parliamentary Record

Prestigiacomo's voting record in Parliament has been subject to scrutiny. During the 16th legislature (2008-2013), she participated in 5.6% of votes. In the 17th legislature (2013-2018), she voted in only 1.1% of instances. After her third election in 2018, she set an anti-record by abstaining from 99.93% of votes during the first six months.

Personal Life

Prestigiacomo continues to run her company Sotra Coast, which specializes in frozen food. She is a mother of three and resides in a home with a menagerie of animals, including 35 cats, 12 dogs, 2 horses, 2 mini-ponies, 2 donkeys, 7 goats, 2 sheep, 2 fallow deer, and approximately 200 doves.