Renato Ruggiero

Renato Ruggiero was an Italian diplomat and politician. He was Director-General of the World [Trade Organization] from 1995 to 1999 and briefly served as Italy's Foreign Minister in 2001.

Biography

Born in Naples on 9 April 1930, Ruggiero graduated from Naples University in 1953 with a law degree, thereafter entering the foreign service. He subsequently held posts in private firms such as Fiat and the energy firm ENI. After a brilliant business career, he became a top-ranking diplomat, and was involved in tough situations such as the Sigonella crisis in 1985. He was famous for his abilities as a strong-minded negotiator and thus earned the nickname of "Rocky" Ruggiero. At the time of his death in 2013, Ruggiero was an Ambassador and was working for Citigroup. He was a member of the Steering Committee of the Bilderberg Group.