Gucci Wars: How I Survived Murder and Intrigue at the Heart of the World's Biggest Fashion House

by Jenny Gucci

Their clothes and accessories are found in the wardrobes of the rich and famous and longed for by the rest of the world, but a former "Gucci wife" reveals the terrible truth from inside the dangerous world of this powerful family. In 1977, Jenny was an opera student in Florence. Young and beautiful, she caught the eye of Paolo Gucci, grandson of the founder of the fashion house, and one of the wealthiest men in the world. Paolo was artistic, creative, and displayed what Jenny describes as "a hypnotic gentleness." Within nine months of meeting, the couple married. For a decade, Jenny lived a life that most people can only dream of—she stayed at the world's most exclusive locations and kept company with celebrities and royalty. But such privilege came at a price—behind the glamorous facade of the fashion house was a family torn apart by rivalry, greed, and in-fighting. Against this backdrop, the darker side of Paolo's personality began to show itself as he became more and more cruel and vindictive. After a decade, Jenny filed for divorce—a move that left her homeless, penniless, hungry, and facing a court case that was to last ten years. She suffered threats and intimidation from him and feared for her safety and that of their daughter, who he refused to support even after a spell in jail for contempt of court. Then in a final act of defiance that shocked the world, he starved his racehorses in a sick attempt to plead poverty. His fortune was so well hidden that more than a decade after his death it still has not been found. Jenny has survived countless struggles and unbelievable trauma—yet has come through them all to become a strong, independent woman. This insider's view from within the strangle hold of a powerful, unscrupulous force will leave readers breathless.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Memoir, Fashion

304 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2008

Reviews

[Prafula · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not very impressive.
First half mainly focuses on the Gucchi Empire Wars....rifts within family affairs. Confusion arises as situations are recalled at odd intervals breaking the sequence of events.
However the story picks up in the second half.The portrayal of a good marriage turning into a viscious divorce leaving one in utter disgust.Shocking terror on how ugly it can get once it all boils down to spiteful revenge.
Marriage is not easy but divorce is worse
Leaves one in a senseless turmoil where it takes years to pick oneself up and carry on

[Colby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book so I can better understand this industry that some of my friends have chosen, and it was an eye-opener. Despite its soap opera style, I found the story by Jenny Gucci ex-wife of the late Paolo Gucci to be fascinating. Not only does she cover the business side but also the sordid details of the Italian madness, violence and murder, crimes and jail time, infidelity, opulent life style, world travel, bankruptcy, romance and tenderness, psychological cruelty (even abuse of horses), divorce and years of lawsuits and bankruptcy proceedings, and an incredible cast of characters. Rags to riches and back to rags. This is not a world that I live in and can't say that I want to go there.

[Hamed Hazel · Rating 3 out of 5]

an exciting insight into the fashion powerhouse gucci, the good, bad and the ugly of a luxury marriage ,tragic ending.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://podkoldra-deana.blogspot.com/2...

[Victoria Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever since I bought an exquisite floral vintage Gucci scarf at Santa Monica's Vintage Fashion Expo for $25 one year I've been in love with the company's clothing and accessories. After reading Jenny Gucci's 2009 memoir "Gucci Wars: How I Survived Murder and Intrigue at the Heart of the World's Biggest Fashion House" I realized that beauty and style can sometimes come at the cost of love and functioning family dynamics. Written chronologically, from Jenny's upbringing to the demise of her marriage to Paolo Gucci, the accompanying photos present a peak into an enviable existence that still amazes me because of what the Gucci's were able to achieve despite their trials and tribulations.
Heartbreaking, exhausting and inspiring "Gucci Wars" was a challenging read because I learned that the fashion industry may be intense and cut-throat at times, but it's never boring. I don't know any other industry you can say that about without sounding jaded and disillusioned.

[Lucy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did not finish. I just can't empathise with this woman. It's not heartfelt, it's incredibly shallow and glosses over everything. I could read a book by a certain type of person but be frank and own it please instead of this veneer of BS.

As it turns out, the gucci family is not particularly interesting. The world of fashion is also not particularly interesting. If you're interested in $ and prestige, it totally pales compared to finance and politics. I've read fashion forums before & they were prob the most boring people I've encountered. Sure there are artistic sorts who go into it and are amazing but the status-obsessed girls who form the majority not so much. Jenny Gucci says that she is very funny and vibrant and beautiful (this last I believe - natural silver blonde hair !, and hey she prob was somewhat charismatic as well) but none of this translates on paper unfortunately.

[Gus · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is nice to see what's going on behind the scenes in one of the worlds largest fashion brands and their story. But in my opinion, the shallowness of the family and everyone who get in contact with them actually makes it a bit boring to read. The third star is for the intriguing story.

[Kathryn]

Possibly the worst book I have ever read. Surely she had a ghost writer, so how could it be so awful? Just transparently horrible. Interesting story struggling to get out, might try and read the 'house of gucci' to get a better overview.

[DeBora Rachelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Gucci's story never gets boring. It is truly a non-fiction soap opera. I'm surprised with all the drama, murder, deceit, and animal abuse that the Gucci brand is still synonymous with high society.

[Cilia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Min recension hittar ni här: http://ciliaskultur.blogspot.se/2013/...

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Intriguing. An interesting view into a life of privelige and resulting mayhem. The family tree in the beginning was especially useful.