Clara Petacci

Clara Petacci, known as Claretta Petacci (Italian pronunciation: [klaˈretta peˈtattʃi]; 28 February 1912 – 28 April 1945) was a mistress of the Italian dictator Benito Mussolini, and was executed with him by partisans.

Relationship with Mussolini

Petacci had a long-standing relationship with Mussolini while he was married to Rachele Mussolini. Mussolini was twenty-eight years Petacci's senior.

Part of their correspondence is still the subject of a dispute with the National Archives, based on privacy.

Death

On 27 April 1945, Mussolini and Petacci were captured by partisans while traveling with a convoy of Italian Social Republic members.

On 28 April, she and Mussolini were taken to Mezzegra and shot. On the following day, 29 April, Mussolini's and Petacci's bodies were taken to the Piazzale Loreto in Milan and hung upside down in front of a petrol station. The bodies were photographed as a crowd vented their rage upon them.

Family

• Clara Petacci's father was Dr. Francesco Petacci, primary physician of Pope Pius XI.
• Clara Petacci's sister was actress Miriam di San Servolo (31 May 1923 – 24 May 1991), also known as Miriam Petacci or Miriam Day.
• Clara Petacci's brother, Marcello Petacci, was captured with Mussolini and Petacci. But, rather than being executed in Dongo, he was shot while trying to escape.

In popular culture

• Claretta, 1984 film starring Claudia Cardinale
• Other films
• The American musician Scott Walker recorded a song about Petacci called "Clara" on his 2006 album The Drift
• The Spanish nazi music band 'División 250' also recorded a song about Petacci called 'Clara'
• Mussolini: The Untold Story, 1985 TV-miniseries featured Virginia Madsen as Petacci
• Mussolini and I, in which she is played by Barbara De Rossi