Ernesto Pellegrini | |
|---|---|
 Pellegrini in 2015 | |
| Chairman of Inter Milan | |
| In office 1984–1995 | |
| Preceded by | Ivanoe Fraizzoli |
| Succeeded by | Massimo Moratti |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1940-12-14)14 December 1940 |
| Died | 31 May 2025(2025-05-31) (aged 84) Milan, Italy |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Known for |
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Ernesto Pellegrini (14 December 1940 – 31 May 2025) was an Italian businessman and the owner ofInter Milan from 1984 to 1995.
The son of a farmer, Pellegrini began working as an accountant in the early 1960s for the bicycle manufacturing companyBianchi, earningL50,000 per month.[1] He was later promoted to chief accountant, but requested additional work within the company, eventually becoming the manager of the canteen.[2]
This marked the beginning of his rise in thecatering industry, and in 1965 he founded theOrganizzazione Mense Pellegrini following the realisation that theItalian economic miracle was driving the expansion of the food industry, as rising disposable income and changing eating habits transformed consumer demand.[2] In 1975, his company changed its status to PellegriniS.p.A.,[2][3] which gradually expanded to offer a wide range of services in Italy, including meal vouchers, corporate, healthcare, and school catering, sanitation and industrial cleaning, and welfare support.[2][3][4]
In 2019, Pellegrini S.p.A. made €600 million profit and employed circa 6,500 people.[5]
Pellegrini died in Milan on 31 May 2025, at the age of 84, on the day of theChampions League final between Inter andPSG, which the Nerazzurri played wearing black armbands.[6]
In 1979, Pellegrini wrote a letter to the Inter's chairmanIvanoe Fraizzoli, asking to be allowed to contribute financially to the club. As a result, he was admitted as a member of the board.[2][7] Pellegrini purchased Inter from Ivanoe Fraizzoli in 1984, becoming theclub's 17th chairman.[2][8]
Under Pelligrini's ownership, Inter purchased players such asKarl-Heinz Rummenigge,Lothar Matthäus,Jürgen Klinsmann, andAndreas Brehme, winning the record-breaking1988–89 Serie A together with twoUEFA Cups and oneSupercoppa Italiana.[8]
In 2020, he was inducted intoInter Milan Hall of Fame.[9] In 2022, he was inducted into theItalian Football Hall of Fame.[10]
