Italy loses 'Il Dottore'

Umberto Agnelli, the former president of Juventus FC who has died aged 69, was a charismatic figure in Italian business, politics, culture and sport. His older brother Giovanni, who died last year, was nicknamed L'Avvocato - the lawyer - while Umberto was known as Il Dottore - the doctor.

Juventus supporter
A Juventus supporter from early childhood, Agnelli became the club's president at the age of just 22 in 1956 and during a six-year period, brought to the club the legendary Welshman John Charles and Argentinian striker Omar Sivori.

FIGC president
He was rewarded with league titles in 1958, 1960 and 1961, as well as Coppa Italia triumphs in 1959 and 1960. His work in football was not restricted to the Bianconeri and between 1959 and 1962 he was also the president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC).

Motor empire
Grandson of Giovanni Agnelli, the founder of Italy's biggest car manufacturer, Fiat, he was born on 1 November in Lausanne, Switzerland. After completing a law degree at the University of Turin, Agnelli joined the family's company.

Fiat success
He became president of Fiat France in 1965 and in five years doubled sales in that country. Then he was made president of Fiat International with the specific task of co-ordinating and expanding the company's industrial and marketing activities abroad. He was CEO of FIAT SpA from 1970 to 1980 and remained involved in the family business, holding four separate chairmanships at the time of his death.

Japanese award
Agnelli's achievements in business earned him honours at home and abroad. He collected a Japanese imperial honour in 1996, when he was awarded the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Sacred Treasure. From 1976-79, he was Senator of the Italian Republic, and was also awarded the titles of Grand'Ufficiale al Merito of the Republic of Italy and Officier of the Légion d'Honneur in France.

Honorary president
He returned to Juventus as honorary president in 1994 after a long break from football. It was a successful decade for the Bianconeri which brought 13 trophies, including five Scudettos and the UEFA Champions League in 1995/96. Agnelli's last public appearance was on 26 April at the University of Turin. He died of cancer at his home in Mandria outside Turin.