Enzo Ferrari was the legendary Italian founder of the Ferrari automobile and racing brand. He was married to his wife, Laura Dominica Garello, for 54 years until her death in 1978, though their marriage was famously turbulent and marked by his long affair with Lina Lardi.
Who is Enzo Ferrari?
Enzo Ferrari was an Italian racing driver and entrepreneur best known as the founder of Ferrari and Scuderia Ferrari, one of the most iconic names in motorsport and luxury car manufacturing history.
He began his career as a racing driver in the years after World War I before shifting his focus to team management and, eventually, building his own car company, which grew into a global symbol of speed and prestige.
Enzo Ferrari’s Bio
| Full Name | Enzo Anselmo Giuseppe Maria Ferrari |
|---|---|
| Nickname | Il Commendatore, Il Drake |
| Profession | Racing Driver, Automotive Entrepreneur, Founder of Ferrari |
| Date of Birth | February 18, 1898 |
| Date of Death | August 14, 1988 |
| Birthplace | Modena, Kingdom of Italy |
| Nationality | Italian |
| Zodiac Sign | Aquarius |
| Known For | Founding Ferrari and Scuderia Ferrari |
Ferrari lost his father and brother during a flu outbreak in 1916, a loss that shaped much of his early life. He began racing cars shortly after World War I, driving for CMN before moving on to Alfa Romeo.
Enzo Ferrari’s Height, Weight and Physical Appearance
| Height | Not publicly known |
|---|---|
| Weight | Not publicly known |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Hair Color | Black (later gray) |
| Body Type | Not publicly known |
Detailed physical records like Enzo Ferrari’s exact height and weight were not commonly documented during his lifetime, so these figures remain unconfirmed.
Background and Early Life
Enzo Ferrari was born on February 18, 1898, in Modena, in the Kingdom of Italy. His early life was marked by hardship, including the deaths of his father and brother during the 1916 flu outbreak.
He developed a passion for racing after attending an event at the Circuito di Bologna as a boy. After World War I, he began racing professionally, first for CMN, converting old wartime trucks into road cars, and later as a driver for Alfa Romeo.
Is He Married? Who is Enzo Ferrari Wife?
Yes, Enzo Ferrari was married. His wife was Laura Dominica Garello, whom he met in Turin around 1921. The two lived together for two years before marrying on April 28, 1923, and remained married until Laura’s death in 1978, a marriage that lasted 54 years.
Their relationship was reportedly difficult almost from the start. Enzo had numerous affairs throughout the marriage, and the couple’s bond grew especially strained after the death of their son, Alfredo “Dino” Ferrari, in 1956. Since divorce was illegal in Italy until the 1970s, the couple remained legally married despite their troubles. Laura is also remembered for her contributions to the early Ferrari business, including selling a wedding gift to help fund the company’s first cars, and for designing elements associated with the brand’s early identity.
Is There Any Past Affair of Enzo Ferrari’s?
Yes. Enzo Ferrari had a long-term relationship with Lina Lardi, whom he met in the early 1930s while still married to Laura. Lina gave birth to their son, Piero, on May 22, 1945.
This relationship was widely known but kept out of the public eye during Laura’s lifetime. After Laura’s death in 1978, Enzo formally recognized Piero as his son, and Piero later inherited a share of the Ferrari company.
Family Background
Enzo Ferrari’s parents were Alfredo Ferrari, a metal workshop owner, and Adalgisa Bisbini. He lost both his father and older brother, also named Alfredo, during the 1916 flu outbreak.
With his wife, Laura, Enzo had one son, Alfredo “Dino” Ferrari, born in 1932, who died in 1956 at age 24 from complications related to muscular dystrophy. With his longtime partner, Lina Lardi, Enzo had a second son, Piero Ferrari, born in 1945, who was later legitimized and became a lasting figure in the Ferrari company.
Enzo Ferrari’s Net Worth 2026
| Year | Estimated Net Worth |
|---|---|
| 1969 | Not publicly known |
| 1975 | Not publicly known |
| 1980 | Not publicly known |
| 1985 | Not publicly known |
| 1988 (death) | Estimated between $50 million and $100 million |
Enzo Ferrari’s exact net worth is difficult to pin down, and estimates vary depending on the source, ranging from around $50 million to $100 million at the time of his death in 1988. For much of his life, he was not considered especially wealthy in personal terms, since he frequently reinvested company profits into his racing team rather than his own pocket. In 1969, facing financial strain, he sold 50 percent of Ferrari to Fiat, and just before his death he agreed to sell an additional 40 percent stake, leaving the remaining 10 percent to his son Piero.
Career
Enzo Ferrari began his career as a race car driver in 1919, competing for CMN before moving to Alfa Romeo, where he raced for several years and later helped manage the team’s racing division.
In 1929, he founded Scuderia Ferrari to sponsor and manage drivers competing in various races. He vowed to stop driving himself if he ever had a son, a promise he kept after his son Alfredo was born in 1932. Ferrari didn’t begin producing cars under his own name until 1947. From there, the Ferrari brand grew into a dominant force in Formula One racing and one of the most prestigious luxury car manufacturers in the world, a legacy that continued well beyond his death in 1988.
Lesser-Known Facts About Enzo Ferrari
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Racing vow | Promised to stop racing himself if he had a son, and kept that promise after his son Alfredo was born |
| Company origins | Scuderia Ferrari started in 1929 purely as a team to sponsor drivers, years before Ferrari made its own cars |
| Personal loss | His only son with Laura, Alfredo “Dino” Ferrari, died at 24 due to complications from muscular dystrophy |
| Business philosophy | Frequently ran the company at a financial loss in order to keep funding his racing ambitions |
| Legacy | His son Piero Ferrari, born to his longtime partner Lina Lardi, remains connected to the Ferrari company today |
Despite building one of the most recognized luxury brands in the world, Enzo Ferrari was famously more devoted to racing than to profit, often prioritizing his team’s success over the financial health of his road car business.
Enzo Ferrari Social Media
Enzo Ferrari passed away in 1988, well before the era of social media, so he never had any personal online presence. His legacy is maintained today through the official Ferrari brand channels, along with numerous books, documentaries, and the 2023 biographical film “Ferrari,” which explored his life and relationships.
FAQs
Was Enzo Ferrari married?
Yes. He was married to Laura Dominica Garello from 1923 until her death in 1978.
Who was Enzo Ferrari’s wife?
His wife was Laura Dominica Garello, whom he met in Turin in the early 1920s.
How old was Enzo Ferrari when he died?
He was born on February 18, 1898, and died on August 14, 1988, at the age of 90.
What was Enzo Ferrari’s net worth?
Estimates suggest it was somewhere between $50 million and $100 million at the time of his death in 1988.
What is Enzo Ferrari known for?
He is known for founding Ferrari and Scuderia Ferrari, building them into one of the most iconic names in motorsport and luxury automobiles.