Petacci, Clara (1912–1945)

views updated

Petacci, Clara (1912–1945)

Italian paramour. Born Claretta Petacci, Feb 28, 1912, in Rome, Italy; died near Como, Italy, on April 28, 1945.

Italian mistress of Benito Mussolini, was machine-gunned to death with Mussolini by partisans late in WWII; had been offered the chance to escape, but instead tried to protect Mussolini with her body.

See also Women in World History.

More From encyclopedia.com