Gigi Marsico, one of the last 'fathers' of Italian television, died yesterday at the age of 98. Born in 1927 in Constantinople, now Istanbul, Marsico began his career as an actor in Rai's radio dramas in 1951 before becoming a professional journalist in 1955. He produced around a hundred documentaries and investigations for the Giornale Radio until 1962. His television work was significant, particularly as a friend and collaborator of renowned journalist Enzo Biagi. Marsico's contributions were invaluable in raising the profile of regional stories from the northwest of Italy, particularly focusing on Turin, a city well known for its automotive industry. His legacy is that of a journalist who gave voice to ordinary people and their stories, making substantial impacts on public television.

Notably, Gigi's friendship with fellow journalist Piero Angela stemmed from their university days in 1947, where they bonded over jazz music. Their collaboration came to the forefront during the 1968 Sanremo Music Festival, where Gigi provided unique coverage as an on-site reporter while Piero served as the news anchor for the festival. This partnership showcased Marsico's distinctive approach to storytelling, emphasizing the importance of context and perspective in journalism.

The death of Gigi Marsico marks the loss of a significant milestone in the history of Italian media, as he was instrumental in shaping the narrative style of public broadcasting in Italy. His dedication to portraying the lives of ordinary citizens and their experiences in the broader fabric of Italian history remains influential today, reminding future generations of the power of journalism to narrate history from the ground up.