Legendary Italian Journalist, Maurizio Costanzo Dies at Age 84

An icon of journalism and television, Maurizio Costanzo, died in Rome on Friday at age 84. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni tweeted that “Costanzo was able to narrate difficult years with courage and professionalism.” She goes on to thank him for bringing culture, charm and kindness into the homes of Italians.

Maurizio Costanzo was born in Rome in 1938 and started his journalism career at the age of 18. His first job was with the Roman newspaper Paese Sera, and in 1979 he became the founding editor of the briefly lived tabloid, L'Occhio. 

Over the course of his career, he worked as a television and radio host, most notably for the Bontà Loro show on Italy’s national public broadcasting company, RAI. Here are some highlights of his legendary career as a journalist and television personality:

• Costanzo has conducted over 43 thousand interviews during this television career. He has previously stated he’s encountered every shade of humanity: geniuses, scoundrels, comedians, politicians, heroes and a “disproportionate number of imbeciles”.

• The biggest regret of his career is not having interviewed a Pope. “I was succeeding with Wojtyla, then he fell ill. It would have been the crowning glory of his career,”  Costanzo said. 

• He is known for standing up against the mafia. In 1993, he survived a car bombing which made him double down his efforts against the mafia.

• After his work with Bonatà Loro, he moved to Silvio Berlusconi's Mediaset network where he hosted The Maurizio Costanzo Show. This would become Italy’s longest running talk show. 

• Costanzo also was the screenwriter for many films, author of books, and co-writer on famous songs. The song “Se Telefonando” became a hit for singer Mina in 1966. 

• He wrote and directed one film, Melodrammore in 1977. 

Maurizio’s funeral will be held at the Chiesa degli Artisti in Piazza del Popolo on Monday, February 27th.