Late fashion designer Giorgio Armani's sexual life was shrouded in mystery and so was his relationship with his creative partner, Leo dell'Orco. The fashion mogul, who was the president, CEO and the only shareholder of his self-titled company, Armani Group, died at the age of 91 in Milan, Italy.
Armani has always ensured to keep his personal life under wraps though he has given glimpses of romances in a few interview over time.
Who is Pantaleo 'Leo' dell'Orco?
Pantaleo dell'Orco aka Leo dell'Orco, 72, who is the head of Armani Group's men's style office, had been working with Armani for 45 years. He was often seen accompanying Armani on stage and was even spotted taking bows at fashion shows when Armani's health failed.
Dell'Orco is also the chairman of Italian basketball club, Olimpia Milano, which was owned by Armani.
What was Giorgio Armani's relationship with Leo dell'Orco?
Armani described his relationship with dell'Orco in his 2022 biography Per Amore, "His real name is Pantaleo… he is the person to whom I have entrusted my most private thoughts, personal, work and otherwise, which he has kept to himself with great discretion. Thank you, Leo!"
Though Armani was not married to dell'Orco, the deceased billionaire once said he wore a "wonderful ring with a diamond." However, both of them never publicly revealed the nature of their relationship.
Giorgio Armani's sexual life
Talking about his sexual life, Armani told Vanity Fair in 2000: "I've had women in my life, and sometimes men."
In 2024, he told Italian newspaper Corriere della Sela that he had sex for the first time with a girl at school, adding that he later fell in love with a man during a summer camp, though he didn't mention a timeline.
"I didn't understand what it was, I didn't differentiate between men and women. It was an attraction I felt, something beautiful: you couldn't wait to be close to him, to have him caress you... a great emotion. I've never told anyone these things. It's a very moving memory." Armani said.