Michele Ferrero (; 26 April 1925 – 14 February 2015) was an Italian billionaire businessman. He owned the chocolate manufacturer Ferrero SpA, Europe's second-largest confectionery company (at the time of his death), which he developed from the small bakery and café of his father in Alba, Piedmont. His first big success was his work with Francesco Rivella in adding vegetable oil to the traditional gianduja paste to make the popular spread Nutella.
Early life
Michele Ferrero was born on 26 April 1925 in Dogliani,
He was the richest person in Italy, with a personal wealth of $26 billion
Ferrero's brands include Nutella, Mon Chéri, Kinder Chocolate, Ferrero Rocher, Tic Tacs and Kinder Eggs.
From 1997, his sons, Pietro Ferrero Jr. and his brother Giovanni Ferrero, co-led the company. After Pietro died in April 2011, Giovanni became the sole CEO.
Ferrero died on 14 February 2015 aged 89, at his home in Monte Carlo, Monaco, after a long illness.
- Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (2005)