Italian soccer mourns the passing of Giusy Achilli

Italian soccer mourns the passing of Giusy Achilli, the legendary president of Pavia, the club she led in Serie C from 1989 to 1994. Her name is linked to an important chapter in Italian soccer history: she was, in fact, the first woman in Italy to become president of a professional club. After a long illness, she died in Milan, the city where she lived, at the age of 72.

She succeeded her husband Claudio as president of Pavia. During her tenure, several talented players passed through the Lombardy-based club, including Massimiliano Allegri, now the coach of Napoli, who wore the Pavia jersey during the 1990–91 season.

The Achilli family later became associated with the history of Livorno as well. The Lombard entrepreneurs were well-known in the automotive sector thanks to Achilli Motors, a historic company that imported prestigious brands such as Aston Martin, Rolls-Royce, and Bentley into Italy and became a major point of reference—even internationally—for the sale and service of Ferrari, Jaguar, and Lamborghini vehicles.