Oliviero Toscani, the renowned fashion photographer famous for his provocative ad campaigns for Benetton, has passed away at the age of 82, his family announced. The Italian photographer was diagnosed with amyloidosis, a rare and incurable illness impacting vital organs, which recently worsened, leading to his hospitalization.
His wife, Kirsti, shared stirring news of his passing on Instagram, expressing the family's sorrow. Toscani was a trailblazer during his 18 years at Benetton, making headlines with shocking images that drew attention to pressing social issues like the AIDS epidemic, war, and racism.
Born on February 28, 1942, in Milan, Toscani had a rich career that included work for Vogue and GQ, as well as iconic figures such as Andy Warhol and John Lennon. Yet, he achieved his most significant acclaim through Benetton, where his diverse representation and the “United Colors of Benetton” campaign brought global attention to equality.
His campaigns often sparked controversy, featuring distressing images—like the lifeless body of an AIDS patient—that drew both applause and backlash, including boycotts. After his departure from Benetton in 2000, due to disputes over a campaign involving death row prisoners, he continued to provoke thought through his photography, including a haunting image of a model struggling with anorexia in 2007.
Toscani briefly reinstated his relationship with Benetton in 2017 but was let go again after making controversial remarks about the Morandi Bridge disaster in 2020. He is survived by his wife and three children: Rocco, Lola, and Ali.
Benetton released a tribute image taken by Toscani in 1989, reflecting on his lasting impact, stating, “In order to explain certain things, words simply don’t suffice. You taught us that.”
His wife, Kirsti, shared stirring news of his passing on Instagram, expressing the family's sorrow. Toscani was a trailblazer during his 18 years at Benetton, making headlines with shocking images that drew attention to pressing social issues like the AIDS epidemic, war, and racism.
Born on February 28, 1942, in Milan, Toscani had a rich career that included work for Vogue and GQ, as well as iconic figures such as Andy Warhol and John Lennon. Yet, he achieved his most significant acclaim through Benetton, where his diverse representation and the “United Colors of Benetton” campaign brought global attention to equality.
His campaigns often sparked controversy, featuring distressing images—like the lifeless body of an AIDS patient—that drew both applause and backlash, including boycotts. After his departure from Benetton in 2000, due to disputes over a campaign involving death row prisoners, he continued to provoke thought through his photography, including a haunting image of a model struggling with anorexia in 2007.
Toscani briefly reinstated his relationship with Benetton in 2017 but was let go again after making controversial remarks about the Morandi Bridge disaster in 2020. He is survived by his wife and three children: Rocco, Lola, and Ali.
Benetton released a tribute image taken by Toscani in 1989, reflecting on his lasting impact, stating, “In order to explain certain things, words simply don’t suffice. You taught us that.”
