Vincenzo Florio

Vincenzo Florio Jr. (18 March 1883 – 6 January 1959) was an Italian entrepreneur, heir of the rich Florio entrepreneurial dynasty, one of the wealthiest Italian families during the late 19th century. An automobile enthusiast, he is best known as the founder of the Targa Florio.

Early life He was the son of the Senator of the Kingdom of Italy, Ignazio Florio Sr. and baroness Giovanna D'Ondes Trigona. He was born in Palermo and was named after his grandfather Vincenzo Florio Sr. (1799–1886), the founder of the Florio wine and spice company. He was the younger brother of Ignazio Florio Jr.. Not inclined to business, he loved travelling and was a frequent visitor to Paris, Nice, Montecarlo and Cannes. Luxury boats were one of his passions: in the family, they owned five yachts. In 1909, he married principessa Annina Alliata di Montereale. After she died from cholera in 1911, he married Lucie Henry of Épernay, France, a year later.

Career

An automobile enthusiast, he created a real racing team with Felice Nazzaro and organised races that remained famous. Florio initiated the financial basis and the engineering plans for the "Brescia Motor Week" in Brescia, Lombardy. He had finished third in the 1904 edition, and generously funded the 1905 race, which was renamed Coppa Florio. He donated 50,000 lire and a Cup for the winner. The exhibition Vincenzo Florio – A taste for modernity was on display in Palermo in 2003.