Renato Ruggiero (6 April 1930 – 4 August 2013) was an Italian politician. He has been director-general of the World Trade Organisation and was briefly the Italian Foreign Minister in 2001.

Biography

Born in Naples on 6 April 1930, Ruggiero graduated from Naples University in 1953 with a law degree. He has held posts as Commerce secretary and in many private firms such as Fiat and the energy firm ENI. Ruggiero entered the foreign service following a degree in law from the University of Naples. After a brilliant career he became a top ranking diplomat managing tough situations in the 1980s such as the Sigonella crisis. He is famous for his ability as a tough negotiator and has thus earned the nickname of "Rocky" Ruggiero. At the time of his death, Ruggiero was anAmbassador and was working for Citigroup.

Honors

Ruggiero was awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of the Sacred Treasure by the government of Japan.