Italian chemist Francesco Rivella, who co-developed Nutella, has died aged 97.
In the 1960s, Rivella, together with Ferrero’s then-CEO, laid the foundation for the hazelnut spread that has since become a global phenomenon.
Rivella passed away last Friday, exactly ten years after Michele Ferrero’s death. Michele Ferrero, the founder’s son, joined the company in 1949 and led it until 1997. Rivella was Ferrero’s right-hand man for decades and retired in 1993.
Nutella co-inventor Francesco Rivella has died aged 97.
As early as the early 19th century, chocolatiers in Turin and its surroundings used a mix of hazelnuts and chocolate to save on cocoa. This mixture was also sold as a bread spread, though it was originally in block form to be sliced. Ferrero’s father, Pietro, sold this Supercrema gianduja.
Together with Rivella, Ferrero altered the composition, packaged it in jars, and named the product Nutella. They aimed to market the spread across Europe. The first jar was produced in the Alba factory, near Turin, on 20 April 1964.
As technical director at Ferrero, Rivella also contributed to the creation of Mon Chéri and Kinder chocolate.
Rivella is survived by a daughter and three sons.
