Early Life
Diego Della Valle was born on December 30, 1953, in Sant'Elpidio a Mare, Italy. He is the elder son of Dorino Della Valle and grandson of Filippo Della Valle, who founded the family's shoemaking business in the 1920s. Della Valle studied Law at the University of Bologna, obtaining his degree in 1975.
Rise to Success
Della Valle joined the family business in 1975, taking over in 1978. He renamed the company J.P. Tod's in 1978. In 1996, he was nominated Cavaliere del Lavoro, an honor bestowed for professional achievement. He developed an innovative marketing plan that led to the expansion of the family business worldwide, and this has been followed by others in the luxury goods industry. Since October 2000, Della Valle has been the President and CEO of Tod's S.p.A.. He also served as the owner of the ACF Fiorentina football club from 2002 to 2019.
Key Business Strategies
Under Della Valle's leadership, Tod's has expanded globally, with brands including Tod's, Hogan, Fay, and Roger Vivier. Della Valle focused on high-quality products and leveraged celebrity endorsements to boost brand recognition and sales. He was known for creating the 'driving shoe' and getting Gianni Agnelli to wear them at Juventus football matches, which prompted a spike in sales. In 2024, the Della Valle family entered a deal with L Catterton to take Tod's private.
Philanthropy
Della Valle is involved in philanthropy, including funding the restoration of the Colosseum in Rome. He also supports education through the Della Valle Foundation.