Thousands throng cathedral square for Fiat king’s funeral

THOUSANDS gathered in the square outside Turin’s 15th century cathedral yesterday for the funeral of Fiat king Gianni Agnelli, many having waited overnight to catch a glimpse of the billionaire tycoon’s coffin.

Applause greeted the hearse of Mr Agnelli, who had symbolised the glamour and promise of Italy’s post-war rebirth, mingling with the world’s movers and shakers from John F. Kennedy to Muammar Gaddafi. “You see in this piazza, in this city and in all the world the respect commanded by this man, who left a mark not just in the economic world but also personally,” said Walter Gaia, a 50-year-old technician at one of Fiat’s biggest factories.

“Without him I don’t know what would have become of this city and of Italy,” Mr Gaia added as he watched the funeral ceremony from behind barricades.