Claudio Graziano
Graziano in 2011
Born	(1953-11-22)22 November 1953 Turin, Italy
Died	17 June 2024(2024-06-17) (aged 70) Rome, Italy
Allegiance	Italy   European Union
Service/branch	Esercito Italiano
Rank	General
Commands held	2nd Alpini Regiment 'Taurinense' Alpine Brigade UNIFIL Chief of Staff (Army) Chief of Defence Staff EU Military Committee
Battles/wars	War in Afghanistan Iraq War
Awards	Knight Grand Cross, OMRI Grand Officer, OMI Silver Valour Medal (Army) Commander, Legion of Merit Officer, Legion of Honour
Spouse(s)	Marisa Lanucara

General Claudio Graziano (22 November 1953 – 17 June 2024) was an Italian Army officer who served as Chairman of the European Union Military Committee.

He was a Force Commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon ( UNIFIL), serving in the position between 2007 and 2010. ^[1] On 6 December 2011, he became the Chief of Staff of the Italian Army. From 28 February 2015 to 6 November 2018, Graziano served as the Chief of Defence Staff of the Italian Armed Forces. ^[2]

The last years and death

From 16 May 2022 to 17 June 2024 he was President of Fincantieri and from 28 September 2022 he was President of Assonave (Associazione Nazionale dell’industria navalmeccanica). ^[3]

Graziano was found dead from a gunshot wound in his home in Rome on 17 June 2024. ^[4] He left a suicide note dedicated to his wife who had died the previous year, stating he had "a lack of meaning in [his] life" ( Italian: "una mancanza di senso nella [sua] vita"). ^{[5] [6]}

Investigations

Due to his past in the Italian Army and the important role he held as president of Fincantieri, the necessary investigations into his death were opened. ^{[7] [8]} Among the hypotheses examined there was also incitement to suicide by foreign secret agents. ^{[9] [10]} Graziano played a key role in strengthening European Defence, which he said can act as a deterrent or can contribute to de-escalation. ^[11]

References

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