How did Sergio Galeotti die? All about Giorgio Armani’s late partner

Veteran Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani died on September 4, 2025, at his home in Milan, Italy, aged 91. The cause of death remains undisclosed. On Thursday, the Armani Group announced the news in a social media post that read:

“With infinite sorrow, the Armani Group announces the passing of its creator, founder, and tireless driving force: Giorgio Armani. Il Signor Armani, as he was always respectfully and admiringly called by employees and collaborators, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones.”

The statement continued,

“Indefatigable to the end, he worked until his final days, dedicating himself to the company, the collections, and the many ongoing and future projects.”

Armani’s family and employees also paid tribute to his “vision, passion, and dedication,” adding that his demise had left behind a “void.” They pledged to protect and honor his memory, and carry on his five-decade legacy with “respect, responsibility, and love.”

Giorgio Armani was private about his romantic life. However, he spoke publicly about his relationship with the Italian architect, designer, and co-founder of the Giorgio Armani Corporation, Sergio Galeotti. He passed away in August 1985 at the age of 40 from a heart attack, according to the Los Angeles Times.

In an interview years later, Armani mentioned that

“When Sergio died, a part of me died. I have to say I congratulate myself a little, because I withstood such intense pain.”

Giorgio Armani never married, nor did he have children.

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More about Giorgio Armani’s late partner, Sergio Galeotti

Italian architect, designer, and menswear buyer Sergio Galeotti was born in July 1945 in Tuscany, Italy. He studied arts in high school before graduating from Accademia di Belle Arti di Carrara or the University of Carrara in 1967.

Later, Sergio worked at several architectural firms, including Bansi, Belgioso, and Terrutti & Rogers. He also became a buyer for Larus.

Sergio Galeotti met Giorgio Armani at an oceanside resort called Forte dei Marmi in Tuscany, in 1966, when the latter was working as a freelance designer for Nino Cerruti.

Together, they founded the Armani brand in 1975 with $10,000 in capital. At the time, Galeotti became Armani’s financial advisor and was quoted as saying that they had to let their only employee, a receptionist to study on the job.

Since then, Armani has become a major contributor to the world of fashion, and Sergio became the business head, partner, and lover of Giorgio Armani. They had an 11-year age gap. He was also the chairman of the Milan-based, privately-owned, globally recognized fashion brand.

Throughout his career, Armani credited Galeotti for helping him build his fashion line and for making him believe in himself.

Sergio Galeotti reportedly suffered from AIDS-related complications and a year-long battle with leukaemia before he died of a heart attack in August 1985. At the time of Sergio’s demise, Giorgio told the Los Angeles Times:

“He was the true spirit of this company.”

Later, in a 1996 interview with New York Magazine, Armani shared that he wore Galeotti’s ring every day and reflected on the final days of Sergio’s life.

“He never saw me cry. He himself never said anything. In a whole year, he said once, ‘Giorgio, look how thin I have become’ — that’s all,” Giorgio stated.

Sergio was survived by his mother, Ivana Galeotti, and a sister, Ivana Salvador. He, too, like Giorgio Armani, did not marry nor did he have children.

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During an interview with Vanity Fair in 2000, Armani shared that he had dated both men and women throughout his life.

He added, “You know very well that to do this work one must have a free mind. Often, one doesn’t have the time to worry about others.”

Subsequently, Armani told GQ in 2015 that he wanted “a lot” to become a father and wished he had “many children.”

A private funeral will take place for Giorgio Armani. However, his fans and the public can pay him tribute in Milan between September 6 and 7, via Bergognone 59, near the Armani/ Teatro.