Patrizia Martinelli was born in 

Vignola, Emilia-Romagna, in the northern region of Italy. She grew up

poor and never knew her biological father. When Patrizia was 12, her mother married wealthy
entrepreneur Ferdinando Reggiani, who later adopted Patrizia. [3][4]
In 1970, Patrizia met Maurizio Gucci, heir to the illustrious Gucci fashion house, at a party.[5] Two
years later, the couple married and moved to New York City.[2][6] Gucci's father, Rodolfo Gucci, initially
did not approve the marriage and believed Patrizia was "a social climber who has nothing in mind
but money", but gifted his son and daughter-in-law with a luxury penthouse in New York's Olympic
Tower.[7][8] Patrizia became active in New York social circles, making regular appearances at parties
and fashion events, and becoming friends with Jackie Kennedy Onassis.[9][10] She gave birth to two
daughters: Alessandra in 1976, and Allegra in 1981. [11]