Nilde Iotti facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nilde Iotti
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| President of the Chamber of Deputies | |
| In office 20 June 1979 – 22 April 1992 |
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| Preceded by | Pietro Ingrao |
| Succeeded by | Oscar Luigi Scalfaro |
| Member of the Chamber of Deputies | |
| In office 8 May 1948 – 18 November 1999 |
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| Constituency | Parma (1948–1958) Bologna (1958–1968) Parma (1968–1994) Marche (1994–1999) |
| Member of the Constituent Assembly | |
| In office 25 June 1946 – 31 January 1948 |
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| Constituency | Parma |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 10 April 1920 Reggio Emilia, Italy |
| Died | 4 December 1999 (aged 79) Rome, Italy |
| Political party | PCI (1943–1991) PDS (1991–1998) DS (1998–1999) |
| Domestic partner | Palmiro Togliatti (1946–1964) |
| Alma mater | Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore |
| Profession | Politician Teacher |
| Website | Nilde Iotti Foundation |
Leonilde Iotti, known to most as Nilde Iotti, was an important Italian politician. She was born on April 10, 1920, and passed away on December 4, 1999. Nilde Iotti was a member of the Italian Communist Party (PCI). She made history by becoming the first and only woman to be the president of the Chamber of Deputies. This is a very high position in the Italian Parliament. She held this role for three terms, from 1979 to 1992, making her the longest-serving president of the Chamber after World War II.
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Nilde Iotti's Early Life and Education
Nilde Iotti was born in Reggio Emilia, Italy, in 1920. Her father, Egidio, worked on the railway and was a trade unionist. This means he was involved in groups that worked to protect the rights of workers. Because of his political activities, he lost his job.
In 1934, Nilde's father died. However, she was able to continue her education thanks to a special scholarship. She attended the Catholic University of Milan and graduated in literature in 1942. One of her professors there was Amintore Fanfani, who later became a famous political leader and even a Prime Minister.
On October 5, 1942, Nilde Iotti joined the National Fascist Party (PNF). At that time, joining this party was often a necessary step for people who wanted to become teachers.
Joining the Resistance Movement
After Benito Mussolini's government fell in July 1943, and a new announcement on September 8, Italy entered a civil war. During this time, Nilde Iotti became very interested in communist ideas. She joined the resistance movement, which fought against the Nazi German invaders during World War II.
Nilde Iotti's Political Career
After World War II ended, Italy held a special vote in 1946 to decide if it should remain a monarchy or become a republic. The country chose to become a republic. In the same year, Nilde Iotti was elected as a member of the Constituent Assembly. This group was responsible for writing Italy's new constitution. She was one of 75 members who helped create the Italian Republican Constitution.
Relationship with Palmiro Togliatti
In 1946, Nilde Iotti began a relationship with Palmiro Togliatti, who was a very important leader of the Communist Party. He was 27 years older than her. Their relationship lasted until his death in 1964. At first, they kept their relationship a secret. It became public in 1948 after an attempt was made on Togliatti's life.
Nilde and Palmiro later adopted an orphan girl named Marisa Malagoli. Marisa was the younger sister of one of the workers who had been killed during a protest in Modena in 1950.
Becoming a Member of Parliament
In April 1948, Nilde Iotti was re-elected to the Chamber of Deputies, which is one of the two houses of the Italian Parliament. She remained a member of the Chamber without interruption until 1999. In 1956, she joined the Central Committee of the Communist Party.
In the following years, Nilde Iotti worked hard on changing civil rights laws. She was especially involved in the campaign for the 1974 divorce referendum, which allowed people to legally end their marriages.
President of the Chamber of Deputies
After the 1979 Italian general election, Nilde Iotti became the President of the Chamber of Deputies. She received a lot of support, even from the Christian Democracy party, which was usually a rival of her Communist Party. She was the first woman to hold this important position. In her first speech, she talked about the role of women in society and the fight against terrorism.
Nilde Iotti was well-liked and respected as president. She was chosen for the role two more times, serving for a total of three terms. In 1987, the President Francesco Cossiga asked her to try and form a new government. This was a very significant moment because she was the first communist and the first woman to be given the chance to become Prime Minister of Italy. However, she was not able to form a group of parties that could work together.
In 1992, Nilde Iotti's name was suggested as a possible candidate for President of the Italian Republic.
Death
Nilde Iotti passed away in Rome on December 4, 1999. She is buried in the Cimitero del Verano cemetery.
Images for kids
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Nilde Iotti
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Nilde Iotti and Palmiro Togliatti
See also
In Spanish: Nilde Iotti para niños
