Born in Clusone, Italy, in 1953, Antonio Percassi is a self-made Italian billionaire entrepreneur whose career path is one of the most unusual in global retail. His early life was dominated by a passion for sport: at the age of 17, he made his debut as a professional footballer for his local team, Atalanta BC.

However, his true calling lay in business. At the young age of 23, he made the decisive choice to end his football career and pivot entirely to entrepreneurship. This early experience in competitive team sport instilled in him the discipline, ambition, and strategic teamwork necessary to build his multi-billion dollar empire. This unique foundation—a combination of competitive drive and commercial acumen—guided his vision to master the complex, fast-paced world of fashion retail and development.

Antonio Percassi’s entrepreneurial career began with real estate and commercial development. His genius was recognizing and developing lucrative retail opportunities, establishing a reputation as one of Italy's premier commercial developers. His career is marked by two major, successful strategic moves.

First, in 1997, he, along with his son Stefano, launched KIKO Make Up Milano, a cosmetics brand focused on high-quality, professional make-up at affordable prices. KIKO achieved rapid international expansion and became a massive success, positioning Percassi as a powerhouse in the beauty retail sector. Second, in 2001, Percassi formed a pivotal partnership with the Inditex Group to bring the Zara brand into the Italian market. By securing the rights and managing the development of the first Zara megastore in Milan, he became the crucial local partner for global retail giants entering Italy. His holding company, Odissea Srl, now manages numerous franchises, while he continues his commitment to his first passion, serving as the President of Atalanta BC, leading the team to a period of unprecedented success.

Antonio Percassi’s social commitment is deeply rooted in his native region of Bergamo and his passion for community and heritage. He founded the Antonio Percassi Family Foundation to structure his giving, which focuses on supporting cultural, research, and community centers.

In a unique act of cultural stewardship, he purchased Crespi d'Adda in 2013, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with the intent of converting it into the headquarters for his business and the family foundation. His ownership and management of Atalanta BC is also a major civic and social contribution, fostering community pride and investing in youth sports development in Bergamo. He was inducted into the Italian Football Hall of Fame in 2019, recognizing his dual achievements in sport and business.

Antonio Percassi projects the charismatic, high-energy style of a successful Italian entrepreneur and football club president. His attire is consistently elegant and modern, favoring custom-tailored Italian suits and sharp casual wear that reflects his dual role in high retail and sport. His style is confident, passionate, and deeply Italian.

His lifestyle is rooted in Bergamo, near Milan, the heart of his retail and sporting empire. His luxury is the ownership of the Atalanta BC club and the immense real estate assets managed by the Percassi Group. His purchase of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Crespi d'Adda is a unique act of luxury and preservation, blending his family's corporate needs with a commitment to Italian history and culture. His large family, with six children, are actively involved in the business, ensuring a continuous, generational legacy.