Carlo Azeglio Ciampi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Carlo Azeglio Ciampi
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Official portrait, 1999
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| President of Italy | |
| In office 18 May 1999 – 15 May 2006 |
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| Prime Minister | Massimo D'Alema Giuliano Amato Silvio Berlusconi |
| Preceded by | Oscar Luigi Scalfaro |
| Succeeded by | Giorgio Napolitano |
| Prime Minister of Italy | |
| In office 29 April 1993 – 11 May 1994 |
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| President | Oscar Luigi Scalfaro |
| Preceded by | Giuliano Amato |
| Succeeded by | Silvio Berlusconi |
| Minister of Treasury, Budget and Economic Programming |
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| In office 18 May 1996 – 13 May 1999 |
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| Prime Minister | Romano Prodi Massimo D'Alema |
| Preceded by | Lamberto Dini (treasury) Mario Arcelli (budget) |
| Succeeded by | Giuliano Amato |
| Minister of the Interior | |
| In office 19 April 1994 – 10 May 1994 |
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| Prime Minister | Himself |
| Preceded by | Nicola Mancino |
| Succeeded by | Roberto Maroni |
| Minister of Tourism and Entertainment | |
| In office 28 April 1993 – 10 May 1994 |
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| Prime Minister | Himself |
| Preceded by | Margherita Boniver |
| Succeeded by | Domenico Fisichella |
| Governor of the Bank of Italy | |
| In office 8 October 1979 – 29 April 1993 |
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| Preceded by | Paolo Baffi |
| Succeeded by | Antonio Fazio |
| Director General of the Bank of Italy | |
| In office 28 June 1978 – 8 October 1979 |
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| Preceded by | Mario Ercolani |
| Succeeded by | Lamberto Dini |
| Member of the Senate of the Republic | |
| In office 15 May 2006 – 16 September 2016 for life |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | 9 December 1920 Livorno, Tuscany, Kingdom of Italy |
| Died | 16 September 2016 (aged 95) Rome, Lazio, Italy |
| Political party | PdA (1943–1947) Independent (1947–2016) |
| Height | 1.63 m (5 ft 4 in) |
| Spouse |
Franca Pilla
(m. 1946) |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | Scuola Normale of Pisa |
| Profession |
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| Signature |  |
Carlo Azeglio Ciampi (born 9 December 1920 – died 16 September 2016) was an important Italian politician and banker. He served as the Prime Minister of Italy from 1993 to 1994 and later as the President of Italy from 1999 to 2006.
Contents
Carlo Azeglio Ciampi: A Life of Service
Early Life and Education
Carlo Azeglio Ciampi was born in Livorno, Italy. He was a very bright student. In 1941, he earned a degree in ancient Greek literature from the Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa. This is one of Italy's top universities.
During World War II, Ciampi served in the military. When Italy signed an armistice with the Allies in 1943, he refused to join the Fascist government. Instead, he joined the Italian resistance movement, fighting against the Fascists. In 1946, he married Franca Pilla. That same year, he earned another degree, this time in law, from the University of Pisa. He then began his career at the Bank of Italy.
Working at the Bank of Italy
Ciampi started working at the Bank of Italy in 1946. He quickly moved up the ranks. By 1973, he became the Secretary General. In 1978, he became the Director General.
In October 1979, Ciampi was chosen to be the Governor of the Bank of Italy. This was a very important role, as he was in charge of the country's central bank. He held this position for many years, until 1993.
Becoming Prime Minister
In April 1993, Carlo Azeglio Ciampi became the Prime Minister of Italy. He was the first prime minister in over 100 years who was not a member of parliament. He led a special "technical government" for about a year, until May 1994.
After his time as prime minister, Ciampi served as the Minister of Treasury from 1996 to 1999. In this role, he played a key part in Italy adopting the euro currency. He even personally chose the design for the Italian 1-euro coin. He picked the famous Vitruvian Man by Leonardo da Vinci. He believed this design showed that money should serve people, not the other way around.
President of Italy
In 1999, Carlo Azeglio Ciampi was elected President of Italy. He was chosen with a large majority of votes. He was only the second president ever to be elected on the very first try.
As president, Ciampi usually avoided getting involved in daily political arguments. Instead, he focused on bigger issues. He often reminded everyone about the importance of respecting the Italian constitution. He was well-respected by politicians from all different parties.
Ciampi served one term as president. There was talk about him running for a second term in 2006, even though he was quite old. However, he decided not to. He believed that no president should serve more than one term. He resigned a few days before his term officially ended, and Giorgio Napolitano became the new president.
In 2006, as the head of state, Ciampi officially opened the 2006 Winter Olympics. He was known for encouraging patriotism and love for Italy.
Later Life and Death
After his presidency, Ciampi became a senator for life in the Italian Senate. He continued to serve Italy until his death.
Carlo Azeglio Ciampi passed away in Rome on 16 September 2016. He was 95 years old.
Awards and Honours
Carlo Azeglio Ciampi received many awards and honours throughout his life. As President of Italy, he was the head of several important Italian orders, including:
- Head of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
- Chief of the Military Order of Italy
- Head of the Order of Merit for Labour
He also received honours from many other countries and institutions, such as:
- 1985: Commander of the Legion of Honour (France)
- 1986: Great Cross of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
- 1993: Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun (Japan)
- 2000: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath (United Kingdom)
- 2005: He received the Charlemagne Prize, an award for people who work for European unity.
- He also received honorary degrees from several universities, including the University of Oxford and the École Normale Supérieure in Paris.
See also
In Spanish: Carlo Azeglio Ciampi para niños
