Aimone di Savoia Aosta (born 1967)
Aimone of Savoy-Aosta | |
|---|---|
| Born | Aimone Umberto Emanuele Filiberto Luigi Amedeo Elena Maria Fiorenzo di Savoia-Aosta October 13, 1967 Florence, Italy |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, diplomat |
| Years active | 2000–present |
| Known for | Claimant to the headship of the House of Savoy; Ambassador of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta to Russia |
Aimone of Savoy-Aosta, 6th Duke of Aosta (Aimone Umberto Emanuele Filiberto Luigi Amedeo Elena Maria Fiorenzo di Savoia-Aosta; born 13 October 1967) is an Italian entrepreneur and one of the two individuals asserting leadership over the House of Savoy. Since November 2019, he has held the position of Ambassador for the Sovereign Military Order of Malta to Russia.
Education and career
Aimone was born in Florence as the second child and only male offspring of Prince Amedeo of Savoy, Duke of Aosta and Princess Claude of Orléans. His education includes attendance at the Francesco Morosini Naval Military School and studies at Bocconi University. Upon completing his academic training, Aimone gained experience working for JPMorgan Chase in the United Kingdom and served with the Italian Navy's special forces.
Starting in 2000, Aimone led Pirelli's operations within Russia. Since 2012, he has been serving as CEO of Pirelli Tyre’s Nordic sector. His contributions to fostering economic relations between Italy and Russia have been recognized by both nations, earning him the Russian Order of Friendship as well as Italy's Order of Merit of the Italian Republic.
Marriage and children
In May 2005, Aimone's engagement to Princess Olga of Greece, daughter of Prince Michael of Greece and Denmark, was made public. The couple are second cousins through their shared descent from French claimant Prince Jean, Duke of Guise, and also related as second cousins once removed via George I of Greece. After a lengthy engagement period accompanied by erroneous wedding announcements, they officially married on 16 September 2008 at the Italian embassy in Moscow, where Aimone was stationed. Their religious wedding ceremony took place subsequently on 27 September 2008 in Patmos.
The couple has three children:
- Prince Umberto of Savoy-Aosta, born on 7 March 2009 in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France; he is the heir apparent to the dukedom following his grandfather’s passing.
- Prince Amedeo Michele of Savoy-Aosta, born on 24 May 2011 in Neuilly-sur-Seine; shortly after birth, he received the title Duke of the Abruzzi from his grandfather.
- Princess Isabella Vita Marina of Savoy-Aosta, born on 14 December 2012 in Paris; her name honors Princess Isabelle of Orléans.
The two male offspring represent the only surviving young male members within the House of Savoy.
Dynastic issues
At birth, Aimone was granted the title Duke of Apulia (duca delle Puglie).
On 7 July 2006, Aimone’s father, Prince Amedeo, Duke of Aosta, asserted his claim to lead the House of Savoy and adopted the title Duke of Savoy, opposing his cousin Vittorio Emanuele, Prince of Naples. He appointed Aimone as Duke of Aosta "in pectore". After Amadeo’s death in 2021, and subsequent to Vittorio Emanuele’s passing on 3 February 2024, Vittorio Emanuele’s son Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy assumed his father’s claim to headship, challenging Aimone’s position.