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Document Details :

Title: For Better, for Worse
Subtitle: Alcide De Gasperi and Francesca Romani
Author(s): DI NICOLA, Giulia P. , DANESE, Attilio
Journal: Marriage, Families & Spirituality
Volume: 22    Issue: 2   Date: 2016   
Pages: 250-274
DOI: 10.2143/INT.22.2.3194504

Abstract :
The article discusses the love between Alcide De Gasperi and Francesca Romani. Alcide, one of the founding fathers of the Italian Republic and of the European Union, owes much of his political achievements not only to his extraordinary passion and temperament, but also – and in an incisive manner – to the union with the woman he loved. He married Francesca, the daughter of a trader in grain, spices, and tobacco, in 1922 and stayed with her until his death in 1954. On the basis of Alcide’s letters to Francesca and the testimonies of contemporary witnesses, the article draws a picture of their loving relationship in the midst of the most turbulent political developments in 20th century Italy.

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