Il Duce's Other Woman

by Philip V. Cannistraro, Brian R. Sullivan

The unknown story of Margherita Sarfatti, the Jewish woman who helped Benito Mussolini come to power, is revealed in a portrait of the leader's mistress, who was ousted from the Fascist Party only to become an influential patron of the arts. 35,000 first printing.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Italy

685 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 1993

Reviews

[Stuart Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anyone interested in 20th century Italian history and/or art will find this biography of Margherita Sarfatti absolutely fascinating. A long time lover of Mussolini, a prolific journalist and art critic, she is a key figure in the development of Fascism, known to some as the uncrowned queen of Italy who also wrote an influential biography of Il Duce for both foreign and Italian audiences. But, as a Jew, a champion of modernist art, and estrangement from Mussolini as he became more and more authoritarian and anti-Semitic, Sarfatti fled abroad in 1939. Although she moved back to Italy in 1947, her Fascist past prevented her from regaining her former influence in political and cultural circles. A balanced and thorough examination of this highly intelligent, yet deeply flawed, person who has been unjustly neglected by historians