Marina Ripa di Meana

Marina Ripa di Meana (born Maria Elide Punturieri and previously known as Marina Lante della Rovere; 21 October 1941 – 5 January 2018) was an Italian socialite, writer, actress, director, stylist, activist and television personality.

Early life Ripa di Meana was born and grew up in Reggio Calabria, Italy.

Career On completing studies in her hometown, Ripa di Meana opened a fashion boutique in Piazza di Spagna, in Rome, in partnership with her friend Paola Ruffo di Calabria.

From the 1970s she began to appear on television as a commentator and panel member in debates on politics, the environment and the defense of animals. The film attracted some controversy as it had received public funds, allegedly through personal friendships. Her last books were also autobiographical: Invecchierò Ma Con Calma (I Will Grow Old But Calmly, 2012) and Colazione al Grand Hotel (Breakfast at the Grand Hotel, 2016). In 2008, she campaigned against the closure of San Giacomo Hospital in Rome. In 1982 she married Carlo Ripa di Meana, a politician.

Death Ripa di Meana died at her home in Rome on 5 January 2018, aged 76, survived by her husband, daughter and grandchildren. She had had cancer for over 16 years, beginning with the discovery of a renal cell carcinoma in its early stages. She had the kidney removed and underwent chemotherapy, three operations on her lungs, and drug treatments. Ripa di Meana frequently spoke publicly about the impact of the disease and her treatment and urged others to have themselves screened in order to identify cancer early. In May 2017, she appeared on television in an interview with Barbara D'Urso wearing a facial veil; as she had had severe allergic reactions to prescribed medicines, her face was severely disfigured by erythema. She later stated that she wanted to encourage patients to continue with treatments in spite of the side effects or issues involved.

Although she had considered assisted suicide in Switzerland, Ripa di Meana chose to receive deep palliative sedation and discussed this choice in a videotaped announcement which was broadcast by TG5 before her death. Ripa di Meana appeared in the video with Maria Antonietta Coscioni, deputy of the Democratic Party and widow of Luca Coscioni, known for her work with terminally ill people. In it, she said "even at home, or in a hospital, with a tumor, a person must know that they can choose to return to earth without further and unnecessary suffering."

Her husband Carlo died two months later, on 2 March 2018, aged 88.