Daniela Santanchè

Daniela Garnero (born 7 April 1961), commonly known by her former married name as Daniela Santanchè (Italian pronunciation: [daˈnjɛːla santaŋˈkɛ]), is an Italian politician. Between 2010 and 2011 she served as Undersecretary to the Ministry for the Implementation of the Government Program in the Berlusconi IV Cabinet. She is currently the regional coordinator of Brothers of Italy in Lombardy and the Minister of Tourism in the Meloni Cabinet.

Biography

Studies and personal life

Daniela Garnero was born in Cuneo, Piedmont, Italy. She moved to Turin to study political science, and at 21 married Paolo Santanchè, a plastic surgeon. She was employed by his company in an administrative role. After studying political science, in 1983 she founded a company that focused on marketing. She later acquired shares of the Billionaire company, along with Flavio Briatore, Lele Mora, Paolo Brosio and Marcello Lippi.

In 1995, she left her husband, Paolo Santanchè, and began a relationship with Canio Mazzaro, a pharmaceutical entrepreneur from Potenza. Her marriage to Paolo Santanchè was declared void by the Roman Rota. In politics she has continued to use the Santanchè surname, despite an unsuccessful court case by her ex-husband to try to stop her. Her current partner is Dimitri Kunz d'Asburgo Lorena.

Local politics with National Alliance

In the 1990s, Santanchè became an assistant of Ignazio La Russa, and in 1995 joined the right-wing National Alliance. Santanchè worked as a consultant for the Milan Municipality Board led by Gabriele Albertini, and in June 1999 was elected councillor of the Council of the Province of Milan.