Giorgio Armani, the legendary designer, has died at 91. As the fashion industry grieves the loss of an icon, many are looking back on a rare moment when Armani chose to share something deeply personal.
In a 2024 interview, the famously private designer spoke with striking honesty about love, loss, and the deep affection he held for his longtime partner, Leo Dell’Orco.
Giorgio Armani Finally Opened Up About His Personal Life in 2000
For nearly 25 years, Armani avoided speaking publicly about his relationships. His last notable comment on his sexuality came in 2000, when he told Vanity Fair: “I have had women in my life. And sometimes men.”
That silence broke in 2024, when Armani spoke to Corriere della Sera at age 90. He revealed that his first same-sex experience occurred when he was a young man, and that the passage of time gave him the courage to reflect honestly on the emotional bonds that shaped his life.
“I’ve had important relationships,” Armani shared, acknowledging both their joys and their hardships. His candor marked a turning point for a designer known more for discipline and precision than for personal revelations.
The Legendary Designer on the Pain of Losing Sergio Galeotti
Among Armani’s most defining relationships was with Sergio Galeotti, a charismatic architect he met outside a nightclub in Versilia. “I saw Sergio in his car and I immediately fell for his Tuscan smile,” Armani recalled in the interview.
The two quickly became both romantic partners and business collaborators, building an empire that transformed the fashion industry. But tragedy struck in 1985, when Galeotti died of an AIDS-related illness at just 40 years old.
“When Sergio died, a part of me died with him,” Armani admitted. “I’m still amazed that I found within myself the resilience to withstand such immense pain.” Despite his grief, Armani continued working, even bringing Galeotti photos from runway shows during hospital visits, determined to honor their shared dream.
Giorgio Armani Found a Lasting Relationship With Leo Dell’Orco
After years of solitude, Armani found enduring companionship with Leo Dell’Orco, born in Bisceglie in 1952. Dell’Orco, head of the men’s style office at Armani Group and a trusted adviser, became the designer’s closest confidant.
Armani often wore a diamond ring given to him by Dell’Orco, describing their relationship with warmth and pragmatism. “I think it over and realise there’s no point in being in love and giving it so little space, because I just don’t have that much space. But I have deep affection for Leo, who has lived with me for years and is the person closest to me.”
Dell’Orco was not only central to Armani’s personal life but also to his business legacy, even chairing Armani’s basketball team, Olimpia Milano, and guiding them to multiple league titles.
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