PROFILE DETAILS
NAME: Donatella Versace
REAL NAME: Donatella Francesca Versace
AGE: 70 years old
Gender: Female
weight: Approx. 55 kg (121 lbs)
Height: 5′ 2″ (158 cm)
Birthdate: May 2, 1955
Birth Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Reggio Calabria, Italy
NET WORTH: $450 Million (Estimated)
Salary: Information not publicly available
MAIN INCOME SOURCE: Fashion Design, Brand Equity, and Corporate Leadership
Profession: Fashion Designer, Chief Creative Officer of Versace
RELIGION: Roman Catholic
FAMILY: Allegra Versace (Daughter), Daniel Versace (Son), Gianni Versace (Brother, deceased), Santo Versace (Brother), Tina Versace (Sister, deceased)
PARENTS: Antonio Versace (Father), Francesca Versace (Mother)
SPOUSE: Paul Beck (m. 1983–2000), Manuel Dallori (m. 2004–2005)
CHILDREN: Allegra Versace, Daniel Versace
CAREER: 1978–Present
Nationality: Italian
SOCIAL PROFILES: Instagram (@donatella_versace)
What is Donatella Versace Net Worth and salary?
As of early 2026, Donatella Versace’s net worth is estimated at approximately $450 million. Her wealth is derived from her long-standing tenure as the creative heart of the Versace brand and her significant equity stake held prior to the company’s acquisition.
In 2018, the Versace family sold the company to Capri Holdings (formerly Michael Kors Holdings) for approximately $2.1 billion. As part of the deal, Donatella received a combination of cash and stock in Capri Holdings. While her exact annual salary as Chief Creative Officer is not a matter of public record, industry benchmarks for creative directors of global luxury houses suggest a compensation package (including bonuses and stock options) exceeding $15 million annually. Her net worth remains stable in 2026 due to the continued global growth of the Versace brand under the Tapestry Inc. umbrella (following the 2024/2025 industry consolidation).
Early Life
Donatella was born in Reggio Calabria, Southern Italy, the youngest of four children. Her father was a personal salesman to the Italian aristocracy, while her mother was a dressmaker who owned a boutique. This environment provided Donatella with an early education in textiles and tailoring. She grew up in a household defined by creativity and the vibrant, often flamboyant, culture of Southern Italy, which would later become a hallmark of the Versace aesthetic.
Before fame
Before becoming a global household name, Donatella studied languages and literature at the University of Florence. During the mid-1970s, she frequently traveled to Milan to assist her older brother, Gianni, who was establishing his fashion career. Initially, she intended to work for him in public relations, but Gianni valued her “muse” status and her sharp, critical eye for design. By the time the Versace label was officially launched in 1978, she had become his most trusted advisor and collaborator.
Awards
- CFDA Fashion Awards: International Award (2018)
- British Fashion Council: Fashion Icon Award (2017)
- Glamour Awards: Fashion Designer of the Year (2012)
- GQ Men of the Year Awards: Designer of the Year (2018)
- CNMI Fashion Community Award: (2023)
- State of the Art Award: (2024) for her contributions to fashion and philanthropy.
Personal Life and Relationships
Donatella’s most prominent relationship was her marriage to American model Paul Beck in 1983. The couple had two children before divorcing in 2000. In 2004, she married Manuel Dallori, but the union lasted only a year. Donatella has been open about her personal struggles, including a high-profile battle with cocaine addiction following the trauma of her brother’s murder in 1997; she successfully sought treatment in 2004 with the support of close friends like Elton John.
Family life
The Versace family is one of the most famous dynasties in fashion. Donatella remains close to her brother Santo Versace, who handled the business side of the brand for decades. Her daughter, Allegra Versace, inherited 50% of the company upon Gianni’s death and currently serves on the board of directors. Her son, Daniel, is a musician and has largely stayed out of the fashion spotlight. The family remains a tight-knit unit, fiercely protective of Gianni’s legacy.
Associated with
Donatella is known for her “Versace Squad” of celebrity friends and collaborators. She is closely associated with Lady Gaga (who wrote the song “Donatella” for her), Naomi Campbell, Jennifer Lopez (whose 2000 “Jungle Dress” created Google Images), Dua Lipa (who co-designed a collection with her in 2023), and Kim Kardashian.
Real Estate
Donatella maintains a portfolio of luxury properties, including:
- Milan Apartment: A lavish residence on Via Gesù, which served as the original headquarters of the brand.
- Lake Como Villa: A historic pink villa known as “La Verbanella,” purchased for approximately $5.6 million in 2019.
- Manhattan Penthouse: A high-end property in New York City used during major fashion events.
Net Worth History
- 1997: Inherited 20% of the Versace empire (Estimated value: $100M).
- 2014: Net worth surged following Blackstone Group’s 20% investment in the company.
- 2018: Sale of Versace to Capri Holdings for $2.1 billion significantly increased her liquid assets.
- 2022–2026: Wealth stabilized through diversified investments and high-value executive compensation.
Trivia
- She has dyed her hair platinum blonde since she was 11 years old, at the suggestion of her brother Gianni.
- Donatella is credited with inventing the “Supermodel” phenomenon of the 1990s by casting the biggest names together on one runway.
- She is a devoted lover of Jack Russell Terriers; her dog, Audrey, has frequently appeared in Versace campaigns.
- She was the first major fashion designer to use celebrities as runway models instead of professional fashion models.
BIOGRAPHY
Executive Summary
Donatella Versace stands as one of the most resilient and influential figures in the history of global luxury. As of 2026, she continues to serve as the Chief Creative Officer of Versace, a brand that has become synonymous with Italian glamour, empowerment, and unapologetic sensuality. Her journey is defined by a dramatic transition from a behind-the-scenes collaborator to the matriarch of a multi-billion dollar empire.
Following the tragic assassination of her brother, Gianni Versace, in 1997, Donatella was thrust into the spotlight during a period of immense personal and professional grief. While critics initially doubted her ability to maintain the brand’s momentum, she successfully modernized the Versace aesthetic, pivoting from Gianni’s baroque maximalism to a sleek, “rock-and-roll” chic that resonated with a new generation. Her mastery of celebrity culture—forging deep bonds with icons from Madonna to Dua Lipa—ensured that Versace remained at the center of the cultural conversation.
Under her creative leadership, the brand expanded into home decor, luxury hotels (Palazzo Versace), and high-profile collaborations that democratized the label’s reach without sacrificing its prestige. The 2018 sale of the company to Capri Holdings marked a new era of corporate stability, allowing Donatella to focus exclusively on the creative vision. In the mid-2020s, she has been a vocal advocate for sustainability in luxury fashion and has embraced digital transformation, including virtual runway experiences and AI-integrated design processes. Donatella Versace is not merely a designer; she is a living symbol of the Versace mythos—a woman who transformed personal tragedy into a legacy of strength, style, and enduring cultural relevance.