Italian chemist Francesco Rivella, renowned as the creator of the iconic hazelnut cocoa spread Nutella, passed away on Valentine’s Day at the age of 97, as per multiple reports.
Known as the “father” of Nutella, Rivella joined Ferrero, the Italian chocolate and confectionery giant, in 1952—two years before Nutella’s official launch.
At 25, he had just graduated from the University of Turin with a degree in bromatological chemistry. He was part of Ferrero’s specialized “chemistry room,” where a team studied raw materials to create and refine new products through blending and tasting, according to a report by the New York Post.
Several of Ferrero’s most famous products originated in this research space. Rivella climbed the ranks to become a senior manager and later served as a close aide to Michele Ferrero, the son of the company’s founder, Pietro Ferrero. Michele Ferrero, who inherited the family business, also passed away on February 14—exactly a decade earlier in 2015.
After retiring, Rivella dedicated his time to fruit farming and promoting pallapugno, a traditional Italian sport.
He is survived by three sons, a daughter, and seven grandchildren. His funeral took place on Monday in Alba, where he resided after retirement, and he will be laid to rest in Barbaresco, according to reports.
The Origins of Nutella
Nutella’s roots trace back to post-war Italy when cocoa was scarce. Under Rivella’s contributions, Ferrero tackled the shortage by “creating a sweet paste made from hazelnuts, sugar and just a little of the rare cocoa,” as noted on Nutella’s official website.
The first version of Nutella, introduced in 1946, was called Giandujot, a reference to Gianduja, a traditional chocolate and hazelnut confection.
Initially, the product was a solid loaf that could be sliced and spread on bread. It was later refined into a smoother, more spreadable texture and rebranded as SuperCrema.
The name Nutella was finally introduced in 1964 when the recipe was further enhanced and packaged in jars, featuring its signature hazelnut and cocoa blend.
As its popularity soared globally, World Nutella Day was established in 2007 and is now celebrated annually on February 5.
