Italian singer-songwriter Gino Paoli dies at 91

Gino Paoli, one of Italy's most influential singer-songwriters, died Tuesday at age 91 in Genoa, his family confirmed. "This night Gino left us with serenity, surrounded by the affection of his loved ones," the family said in a statement requesting privacy.

Born September 23, 1934, in Monfalcone but raised in Genoa, Paoli became a defining voice of Italian popular music across a career spanning more than six decades. He debuted in 1959 and quickly established himself as a major composer, known for his ability to portray love, heartbreak, and human fragility through song.

Among his most celebrated works are "Il cielo in una stanza," "Senza fine," "Sapore di sale," "La gatta," "Che cosa c'è," and "Una lunga storia d'amore." He won the Festivalbar in 1991 with "Quattro amici" and participated in five editions of the Sanremo Music Festival. His compositions became part of the cultural fabric of Italy, sung in bars and homes across generations.

Paoli's life was marked by personal intensity and artistic depth. In July 1963, at age 29, he shot himself in Genoa but survived. The bullet remained lodged near his heart for the remaining 63 years of his life. In a book published in September 2025 titled "Cosa farò da grande. I miei primi 90 anni," he recounted the incident and reflected on friends who had taken their own lives, including musician Luigi Tenco.

His personal relationships deeply influenced his work. He married Anna Fabbri in 1957 and had five children, including son Giovanni, born in 1964. Giovanni pursued music briefly before becoming a journalist and editor. Giovanni died in March 2025 at age 60 from a heart attack, a loss Paoli endured in his final year.

Paoli's most famous romantic connection was with fellow singer Ornella Vanoni. Born one day apart in 1934—she on September 22, he on September 23—they met in 1960 while both were signed to the Ricordi label. Though Paoli was already married and Vanoni married impresario Lucio Ardenzi that same year, an intense artistic and personal bond developed between them. Paoli wrote "Senza fine" and "Che cosa c'è" for Vanoni, songs that traced the contours of their complex relationship. Vanoni died in November 2025, four months before Paoli.

Paoli also had a notable connection with actress Stefania Sandrelli. His first wife, Anna Fabbri, reportedly grew jealous of his relationship with Sandrelli, reflecting the turbulent personal dynamics that often found their way into his compositions.

In his later years, Paoli remained active and reflective. In December 2023, he presented his autobiography at Rome's MAXXI museum. During an appearance on "Che tempo che fa" with host Fabio Fazio, he discussed an unusual episode from his life: he had once purchased a seal from a pet shop owner and brought it to a hotel, filling the bathtub to accommodate the animal—a story he included in his memoir.

Paoli was a supporter of Genoa Football Club and attended matches with his first father-in-law. The club expressed its condolences on social media, posting "Finito il tempo di cantare insieme"—"The time to sing together has ended."

His death prompted widespread tributes from Italian musicians and public figures. Singer Gianni Morandi wrote, "Goodbye Gino, friend and colleague of a lifetime, I have always cared for you. For your music, for your soul, for what you left all of us. Safe travels." Francesco Gabbani said, "A piece of Italian music is gone. Goodbye Gino." Samuele Bersani noted, "Anyone who does my job owes you so much. Thank you Gino Paoli."

Television presenter Antonella Clerici announced his death on her live program "È sempre mezzogiorno," recalling her many encounters with him and noting that one of her successful shows was titled "Ti lascio una canzone"—"I Leave You a Song"—inspired by his work. Young Genoese artist Olly, who won the Sanremo Festival last year, posted a black background with the notes of "Il cielo in una stanza" in tribute.

Vice Premier Matteo Salvini wrote on social media, "Goodbye great Gino." Vice Premier and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said, "He leaves us an enormous piece of our popular culture, capable of transforming daily life into poetry and melody. His songs accompanied entire generations."

Paoli also served as a communist deputy in parliament and remained engaged with cultural and political discourse throughout his life. In 2018, he commented on Italian rap music, noting that rappers could be linked to singer-songwriters in terms of lyrical content but that their music was primarily rhythmic with little melody, and that they often imitated American styles without understanding their origins.