The Palermo football stadium received its current name on 18 September 2002 to honor the man who steered the club for a decade. Renzo Barbera, an entrepreneur from Sicily, held the presidency of Palermo Football Club from 1970 to 1980, shaping the trajectory of the organization during a period of significant sporting transition.
Early Life and Education
Born in 1920 in Palermo, Italy, Renzo Barbera was the son of Giuseppe, who founded the business Latteria Barbera, and Maria Rutelli. His family history included a paternal grandfather, Lorenzo Barbera, who worked as an oil merchant, and a maternal grandfather, the sculptor Mario Rutelli. Barbera received his formal education at the Gonzaga Institute in his home city.
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During his adulthood, Barbera served as an officer in the Royal Italian Army. In 1943, he was captured by German forces. He escaped while being transported and subsequently found shelter among farmers and shepherds in the Ciociaria region. He was married to Giuliana Cicutto, and the couple had three children: Giuseppe, Ferruccio, and Maria Ludovica.
Leadership at Palermo FC
As president of Palermo Football Club from 1970 to 1980, Barbera oversaw the team during two appearances in the Coppa Italia finals. The club reached the final match in 1974 against Bologna and again in 1979 against Juventus. His tenure earned him the nicknames Presidentissimo and The Last Leopard.
Later Career and Legacy
Following his term as club chairman, Barbera took on the role of president for the Sicilian Organising Committee for the 1990 FIFA World Cup. His familial connection to the football club persisted through his great-nephew, Dario Mirri, who became president of Palermo FC in 2019. Barbera died in Palermo on 20 May 2002, at the age of 82, following complications from heart disease.
Fast facts
- Born: 1920, Palermo
- Died: 20 May 2002, Palermo
- Positions: President of Palermo Football Club (1970-1980)
- Education: Gonzaga Institute, Palermo
- Family: Married to Giuliana Cicutto; three children
- Military: Officer in the Royal Italian Army
Questions readers ask
What major roles did Renzo Barbera hold after leaving Palermo FC?
He served as the president of the Sicilian Organising Committee for the 1990 FIFA World Cup.
How long was his tenure as president of the Palermo football club?
He held the position of president for ten years, spanning from 1970 to 1980.
Achievements
- Educated at Gonzaga Institute, Palermo
