Francesco Rivella
- February 14, 2025
- 97 years
About Francesco Rivella
Francesco Rivella, 97, Italian chemist and businessman, inventor of Nutella.
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Full Biography
|Francesco Rivella (8 August 1927 – 14 February 2025) was an Italian chocolatier and chemist known for his work with the expansion of the Ferrero brand, including the creation of the chocolate spread Nutella and the development of its recipe.
Life and career
Rivella was born in Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy, on 8 August 1927. Having just received a degree in bromatological chemistry from Turin, Rivella began to work alongside the businessman Michele Ferrero as Ferrero's right hand man to produce chocolate beginning at the age of 25 in 1952, having joined the Ferrero company as a chocolatier. The original form of Nutella, first sold in 1951, was a creamy version of gianduja called Supercrema gianduja, based on Ferrero's father Pietro's solid chocolate Pasta Gianduja. In 1964, Ferrero recruited Rivella for them to work together on developing a revamped version of Supercrema gianduja, with the aim of selling it across Italy and Europe. Rivella was credited with coming up with the name "Nutella" in 1964, having reportedly perfected the taste with Ferrero after having spent several years with him travelling the world to come up with newer flavours.
Rivella and Ferrero traveled around the world to sample confectionery products with a belief that they could refine and improve those products. Rivella contributed to the development of Kinder and Ferrero Rocher products. According to Gigi Padovani, his balance of tradition and innovation made Rivella a key person in the Ferrero company's rise as a multinational company.
Following his career at Ferrero, Rivella served as a member of the Order of Chemists. After retiring, he dedicated his spare time to fruit farming and the traditional Italian sport of Pallapugno. Rivella died in Alba, Piedmont, on 14 February 2025, at the age of 97. Prior to his death, Rivella was widowed with three sons, a daughter, and seven grandchildren.
Content from Wikipedia — licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
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Sources
- Wikipedia
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francesco_Rivella
- CC BY-SA 4.0
- Sep 26, 2026
- View article
- Sep 26, 2026
Trivia & Knowledge· 16 questions
Questions drawn from Francesco Rivella's archived record and the sources above.
1.In which Italian town was Francesco Rivella born?
- A.Barbarescocorrect
- B.Turin
- C.Alba
- D.Milan
Francesco Rivella was born in Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy, on 8 August 1927.
Source: Life and career section
2.What academic degree did Francesco Rivella hold?
- A.Business Administration
- B.Food Engineering
- C.Bromatological Chemistrycorrect
- D.Organic Chemistry
Francesco Rivella received a degree in bromatological chemistry from Turin.
Source: Life and career section
3.At what age did Francesco Rivella begin working with Michele Ferrero?
- A.25correct
- B.30
- C.22
- D.28
Francesco Rivella began to work alongside the businessman Michele Ferrero at the age of 25 in 1952.
Source: Life and career section
4.What was the name of the original chocolate spread product that preceded Nutella?
- A.Pasta Gianduja
- B.Nutella Original
- C.Supercrema giandujacorrect
- D.Ferrero Crema
The original form of Nutella, first sold in 1951, was a creamy version of gianduja called Supercrema gianduja.
Source: Life and career section
5.In what year was the product known as Nutella officially named?
- A.1964correct
- B.1951
- C.1960
- D.1952
Francesco Rivella is credited with coming up with the name Nutella in 1964.
Source: Life and career section
6.Who was the father of Michele Ferrero, who created the original solid Pasta Gianduja?
- A.Luigi
- B.Antonio
- C.Pietrocorrect
- D.Giovanni
Supercrema gianduja was based on the solid chocolate Pasta Gianduja created by Michele Ferrero's father, Pietro.
Source: Life and career section
7.Besides Nutella, which other products did Francesco Rivella help develop?
- A.Tic Tac and Raffaello
- B.Kinder and Nutella Bars
- C.Kinder and Ferrero Rochercorrect
- D.Ferrero Rocher and Mon Cheri
Francesco Rivella contributed to the development of the Kinder and Ferrero Rocher product lines.
Source: Life and career section
8.Who described Francesco Rivella as a key person in the company's rise?
- A.Michele Ferrero
- B.A local historian
- C.Gigi Padovanicorrect
- D.The Order of Chemists
According to Gigi Padovani, the balance of tradition and innovation made Francesco Rivella a key person in the company.
Source: Life and career section
9.After retiring from the Ferrero company, which sport did Francesco Rivella dedicate time to?
- A.Pallapugnocorrect
- B.Bocce
- C.Cycling
- D.Calcio
After retiring, Francesco Rivella dedicated his spare time to fruit farming and the traditional Italian sport of Pallapugno.
Source: Life and career section
10.In which city did Francesco Rivella pass away?
- A.Turin
- B.Piedmont
- C.Barbaresco
- D.Albacorrect
Francesco Rivella died in Alba, Piedmont, on 14 February 2025.
Source: Life and career section
11.How old was Francesco Rivella when he passed away?
- A.97correct
- B.92
- C.98
- D.87
Francesco Rivella died on 14 February 2025 at the age of 97.
Source: Life and career section
12.What professional organization was Francesco Rivella a member of after his career at Ferrero?
- A.The Order of Chemistscorrect
- B.The Chamber of Commerce
- C.The Italian Business Council
- D.The Association of Chocolatiers
Following his career at Ferrero, Francesco Rivella served as a member of the Order of Chemists.
Source: Life and career section
13.How many grandchildren did Francesco Rivella have at the time of his death?
- A.Sevencorrect
- B.Five
- C.Four
- D.Six
Prior to his death, Francesco Rivella was widowed with three sons, a daughter, and seven grandchildren.
Source: Life and career section
14.What was the main purpose behind Francesco Rivella and Michele Ferrero traveling the world?
- A.To study agricultural techniques
- B.To market the Ferrero brand
- C.To sample confectionery productscorrect
- D.To recruit new chemists
Francesco Rivella and Michele Ferrero traveled around the world to sample confectionery products with a belief that they could improve them.
Source: Life and career section
15.What was the profession of Francesco Rivella, in addition to being a businessman?
- A.Chemistcorrect
- B.Teacher
- C.Engineer
- D.Architect
Francesco Rivella was an Italian chemist and businessman.
Source: Introductory paragraph
16.What activity did Francesco Rivella enjoy besides playing Pallapugno after retirement?
- A.Writing memoirs
- B.Collecting antique coins
- C.Fruit farmingcorrect
- D.Teaching chemistry
After retiring, Francesco Rivella dedicated his spare time to fruit farming and the traditional Italian sport of Pallapugno.
Source: Life and career section
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