Gucci Wars. How I Survived Murder and Intrigue at the Heart of the World's Biggest Fashion House

The Gucci name conjures up images of designer handbags, world-class fashion shows and exclusivity. Their clothes and accessories are found in the wardrobes of the rich and famous - and longed for by the rest of the world. But behind the glamour and opulence lies a family with a history of betrayal, jealousy and even murder. In this astounding book, Jennifer Gucci, a one-time `Gucci wife`, reveals what it was like to live in the dangerous world of what was once one of the most powerful families on the planet.In 1977, Jenny was an operatic student in Florence. Young and beautiful, she caught the eye of Paolo Gucci, grandson of the founder of the fashion house, and one of the wealthiest men in the world. Paolo was artistic, creative and, in their early days together, had what Jenny describes as `a hypnotic gentleness`. Within nine months of meeting, the couple were married and, for Jenny, things would never be the same again...For a decade, Jenny lived a life that most women can only dream of: she stayed at the world`s most exclusive locations and kept company with celebrities and royalty. But such privilege came at a price - behind the glamorous facade of the fashion house was a family torn apart by rivalry, greed and in-fighting. Against this backdrop, the darker side of Paolo`s personality began to show itself as he became more and more cruel and vindictive.She suffered threats and intimidation from him and feared for her safety and that of their daughter Gemma who he also refused to support. Even a spell in jail for contempt of court failed to move him. Then in a final act of defiance that shocked the world, he starved his racehorses in a sick attempt to plead poverty. His fortune was so well hidden that even today - thirteen years after his death - it still has not been found.Jenny has survived countless struggles and unbelievable trauma - yet has come through them all to become a stronger, more independent woman. This intriguing book gives an insider`s view of what it was really like to be at the heart of a force so powerful and, at times, so unscrupulous. Her story will leave you breathless.