Biography:
Studies and Personal Life:
Birth and Early Life: Daniela Garnero was born on April 7, 1961, in Cuneo, Piedmont, Italy.
Educational Background: She moved to Turin for her studies in political science.
Marriage and Business: Married plastic surgeon Paolo Santanchè at 21. Worked in an administrative role in his company. Founded a marketing company in 1983.
Business Ventures: Acquired shares in the Billionaire company alongside notable figures like Flavio Briatore, Lele Mora, Paolo Brosio, and Marcello Lippi.
Political Career:
Local Politics with National Alliance:
Association with Ignazio La Russa: In the 1990s, she became an assistant to Ignazio La Russa and joined the right-wing National Alliance in 1995.
Political Roles: Worked as a consultant for the Milan Municipality Board and was elected councillor of the Council of the Province of Milan in June 1999.
Move to National Politics: Unsuccessfully ran for a seat in the Italian Chamber of Deputies in 2001 but later took up a vacated seat.
National Politics with National Alliance:
Equal Opportunity Chief: Held the position of chief of the department for equal opportunity for the National Alliance from 2005 to 2007.
Controversial Gesture: In 2005, criticized for showing her middle finger during a student protest against the Moratti school reform.
Historic Role: Nominated to lead the discussion of the annual Financial Law in 2005, the first woman in Italian history to do so.
Parliamentary Re-election: Re-elected to the Italian Chamber of Deputies in 2006.
The Right and Movement for Italy:
Move to The Right Party: Resigned from the National Alliance in 2007 to join Francesco Storace’s new party, The Right.
Prime Minister Candidate: Became the Prime Minister candidate for The Right in the 2008 Italian general election, the first woman to be a candidate for Italian prime minister.
Foundation of Movement for Italy: Founded the Movement for Italy (MpI) in 2008 after leaving The Right.
Brothers of Italy:
Joining Fratelli d’Italia: Joined Fratelli d’Italia in December 2017.
Senator and Minister: Elected as a Senator in the Cremona constituency in the 2018 General Election. Sworn in as the Minister of Tourism in the Meloni government on October 22, 2022.
Controversies:
Positions on the Islamic Veil and Assault Allegations:
2006 Criticism: Criticized in 2006 for discussing matters related to the Islamic veil on a live show, leading to concerns for her safety.
2009 Eid al-Fitr Incident: Faced allegations of trying to unveil Muslim women during Eid al-Fitr celebrations in Milan in 2009, leading to a public reaction.
2011 Diploma Scandal:
Educational Claim Dispute: In 2011, faced scrutiny when a magazine reported that her claim of having an MBA from Bocconi University couldn’t be verified.
Tax Fraud Investigations (2023):
Investigation and Senate Vote: Under investigation for false accounting since September 2022. Did not resign from her ministerial position, and a motion of no confidence against her was rejected by the Senate on July 26, 2023, in a 67-111 vote.
Daniela Santanchè’s political career has been marked by various party affiliations, historic roles, controversies, and, in recent times, legal challenges.