- Giorgio Armani had relationships with both men and women.
- Sergio Galeotti was his romantic and business partner.
- Galeotti’s death profoundly affected Armani’s personal life.
- Leo Dell’Orco was Armani’s longtime companion later in life.
The personal life of fashion icon Giorgio Armani, who passed away peacefully at 91, has attracted considerable interest, especially his relationship with Sergio Galeotti.
Their bond was both romantic and professional, forming the basis of the Armani empire. While Armani acknowledged relationships with both women and men, his connection with Galeotti remains the most significant.
Who Was Sergio Galeotti?
Sergio Galeotti was an Italian architect and Giorgio Armani’s life partner. They met in 1966 in Tuscany when Armani was 32 and Galeotti was 21. Their immediate connection developed into a deep romantic and professional relationship. Galeotti played a key role in encouraging Armani to start his own fashion label in 1975, handling the business side while Armani focused on design.
Armani recalled, “Right away he made me Papa. I felt right away responsible for him and for his life. Suddenly it became a relationship of deep affection.”
Was Giorgio Armani Gay?
Armani openly talked about his sexuality in interviews, identifying as someone who had relationships with both men and women. In a 2000 Vanity Fair interview, he stated,
“I have had women in my life. And sometimes men.”
His attraction to men began in his youth. He revealed in a 2024 interview that he had an early crush on a male supervisor at summer camp. This fluidity was a defining feature of his personal life.
Tragic Loss and Its Impact
Sergio Galeotti died in 1985 at age 40 due to AIDS related complications, though it was initially reported as a heart attack. His death devastated Armani. He felt a part of himself had died. The designer spent a year by Galeotti’s hospital bed, managing immense grief while overseeing their growing fashion empire.
“When Sergio died, a part of me died with him. I’m still amazed that I found within myself the resilience to withstand such immense pain,” Armani shared.
Later Relationship with Leo Dell’Orco
After Galeotti’s death, Armani found companionship with Leo Dell’Orco, head of men’s design at Armani. They lived together for years, sharing a strong bond, although Armani described himself as “indifferent to love” after his loss. He recognized Dell’Orco as the person closest to him in his later years.
“I have deep affection for Leo, who has lived with me for years and is the person closest to me,” Armani stated.
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Last Updated on September 4, 2025 by 247 News Around The World
