Gucci Heiress Wins $115M Against Accused Sexual Abuser

LOS ANGELES, CA — A 40-year-old Gucci heiress has been awarded $115 million in damages against her former stepfather, who she contended had sexually abused her for years beginning when she was a child.

Plaintiff Alexandra Gucci Zarini is the great granddaughter of Guccio Gucci, creator of the Gucci luxury brand. Zarini's mother is Patricia Gucci. Now 62, Patricia Gucci was born during Aldo Gucci's extramarital affair with Bruna Palombo.

Patricia Gucci was originally a co-defendant in the case along with Zarini's stepfather, Joseph Ruffalo, but Zarini resolved the part of her case against her mother, which alleged negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress, prior to the Los Angeles Superior Court trial.

Jurors reached their verdict Tuesday against Ruffalo. The panel assessed $85 million in compensatory damages and $30 million in punitive damages.

"My heartfelt thanks and gratitude go to the jury for this courageous verdict," Zarini said. "This victory in the civil justice system marks a significant step forward in the fight for accountability and child protection, despite the failures of the criminal justice system and law enforcement to deliver justice so far.

"To every child who has been hurt: You are not alone. Your story matters, and your courage can change the world Let's stand together to build a world where no child knows this pain, where every child finds hope and justice."

In their court papers, Ruffalo's attorneys disputed liability for the sexual abuse of Zarini, the nature and extent of her claims and her alleged damages.

Patricia Gucci was married to Ruffalo, a former music manager, from 1993 to 2008. They lived together in Los Angeles from 1992 to 1998 and she left him after her daughter allegedly told her he was sexually abusing her. Zarini sued in September 2020.

According to Zarini's suit, her mother compounded the plaintiff's suffering by sexualizing her for Ruffalo's benefit and also by physically, mentally and emotionally abusing Zarini.

Patricia Gucci's lawyers maintained in their earlier court papers that Ruffalo, not their client, and his alleged abuses were the cause of Zarini's injuries and that therefore the plaintiff was precluded from avoiding the statute of limitations by claiming to do so under a special statute.

Patricia Gucci's lawyers also maintained in their court papers that she was not negligent because she did not know Ruffalo was allegedly abusing Zarini until her daughter reached age 22 and disclosed what had happened.

City News Service