Rosa Maltoni (married Mussolini; 22 April 1858 – 19 February 1905)[1] was the mother of Italian Fascist founder and leader Benito Mussolini.
Rosa Maltoni | |
---|---|
Born | 22 April 1858 |
Died | 19 February 1905 | (aged 46)
Occupation | Teacher |
Children | |
Family | Mussolini family |
Rosa Maltoni was the mother of Benito, Arnaldo and Edvige Mussolini, the mother-in-law of Rachele Mussolini and the paternal grandmother of Bruno Mussolini, Edda Mussolini, Romano Mussolini, and Vittorio Mussolini. Maltoni was a nominal Catholic schoolteacher who married the socialist Alessandro Mussolini against the wishes of her father.[2] After Benito, Rosa had three more children, Arnaldo, Laura, and Edvige. She died of meningitis in 1905 when her son, Benito Mussolini, was only 22.[1]
Mussolini was reportedly very attached to his mother, and during the Fascist period, Rosa came to represent the ideal Italian woman.[3][4][5][6] On June 17, 1930, a ceremony was held to honor her as a "great educator and glorious mother."[5]