Diego Della Valle is a controversial Italian businessman, the Chairman and former CEO of the Tod's Group (BIT: TOD), a global luxury goods company famous for its Gommino driving shoes and high-end leather products. Born in Sant'Elpidio a Mare, Marche, in 1953, his family's heritage is rooted in shoemaking; his grandfather was a cobbler, and his father, Dorino Della Valle, built a business making shoes for international designers.

His family initially wanted him to avoid the trade, sending him to the University of Bologna to study Law. However, Della Valle was a bit undisciplined and preferred the factory, eventually obtaining a law degree in 1975. His true education came from working in the family factory, recognizing the unique Italian commitment to skilled artisans and 100 percent Italian manufacturing.

Diego Della Valle joined the family business in 1975 and took over management in 1978. His strategic vision was transformative: he rebranded the company as J.P. Tod's (choosing the name from a Boston phone book because it was short and easy to pronounce internationally). The company's breakthrough came with the invention and global marketing of the Gommino driving shoe, which features distinctive rubber pebbles on the soles, turning the concept of luxury footwear on its head (as traditional luxury shoes had rigid leather soles).

Under his leadership, the Tod's Group expanded into leather goods (launching the D-Bag in 1997) and acquired the fashion brand Maison Schiaparelli. His commitment to ensuring 100 percent of products are made in Italy and relying on skilled artisans is the cornerstone of the brand's luxury appeal. Della Valle, known for his political activism and past involvement in the Calciopoli scandal (as former owner of ACF Fiorentina), successfully scaled the family business into a multi-billion euro global luxury powerhouse.

Diego Della Valle's social impact is structural, stemming from his role in preserving high-end Italian craftsmanship and ensuring manufacturing remains in Italy. The Tod's Group provides thousands of stable jobs to skilled artisans, fighting against the outsourcing of luxury production.

His personal philanthropy and public role in Italian politics often focus on supporting cultural institutions (e.g., funding the restoration of the Colosseum). His career is a testament to the profitability of marketing high-quality, historically rooted craftsmanship globally.

Diego Della Valle maintains the highly glamorous, politically connected style of an Italian luxury mogul. His attire is consistently high-end, favoring tailored Italian suits and often wearing his own brand's iconic driving shoes. His aesthetic is one of confident, artistic authority.

His luxury is the immense security and autonomy derived from his multi-billion dollar fortune, which he leverages for high-profile acquisitions in fashion and banking. His life is dedicated to the long-term management of his luxury empire and his commitment to Made in Italy quality.