Famous People Born In Ferrara

Michelangelo Antonioni was an Italian screenwriter, film director, editor, short story author, and painter. Renowned for making films with striking visual composition and elusive plots, Antonioni's work has influenced art cinema of the subsequent generation. Over the course of his career, Antonioni won many prestigious awards, including an honorary Academy Award, Palme d'Or, the Golden Bear, and the Golden Lion.

Michele Ferrari is an Italian physician and cycling coach notorious for his role in supplying bicycle racers with performance-enhancing drugs. He received his degree in medicine and surgery at the University of Ferrara and became a specialist in sports medicine at the Sapienza University of Rome. His clients include Lance Armstrong, Michael Rogers, and Alexander Vinokourov. 

Beatrice d'Este was one of the most beautiful noblewomen of the Italian Renaissance and a patron of the arts. The duchess of Bari and Milan through her marriage to Ludovico Sforza, she not only influenced the dress sense of her time but also supported the Milanese resistance during the Italian Wars.

Italian fascist politician Italo Balbo commanded the country’s air force under the dictatorial rule of Benito Mussolini. He was previously a leader of the Blackshirt militia. However, his pro-British sentiments made Mussolini move him away from Italy to make him the Governor-General of Italian Libya. He was killed by accidental friendly fire.

The eldest daughter of Ercole II, the duke of Ferrera, Anna d'Este was initially married to Francis, Duke of Guise and then to Jacques, Duke of Nemours. A supporter of the Catholic League, Anna was targeted by Henry III. She later served the Queen of France, Marie de' Medici, but died poor.

Italian TikTok star Ottavia De Vivo, better known for his POV and comedy videos, has also gained fame for her signature hair, which is said to be 4 feet long. He has also been a part-time model and is quite popular on Instagram, too.