Galeazzo Ciano

Galeazzo Ciano (1903-1944), Italian diplomat, one of the highest ranking fascists in the government of Benito Mussolini. Ciano was born in Leghorn (Livorno), and educated at the University of Rome. In 1925 he entered the diplomatic service. He married Mussolini's daughter in 1930, after which he rose rapidly in the Fascist hierarchy to become a member of the Fascist Supreme Council. From 1934 to 1935 Ciano was Secretary of State for press and propaganda. He served in the Italian air force during the invasion of Ethiopia in 1935 and 1936—just before the outbreak of World War II in 1939 (also the year in which Ciano inherited the title Conte, or Count, di Cortellazzo). In 1936 Ciano became Minister of Foreign Affairs, serving until February 1943, when his father-in-law relieved him of his post because of Ciano's unwillingness to make Italy totally subservient to Germany. Mussolini then named him ambassador to the Vatican. Later that year Ciano led the group of Fascist leaders who voted to overthrow Mussolini. In January 1944, Ciano was captured by the Germans and executed for treason by Mussolini's Italian supporters.