Francesco Rivella, Co-Creator of Nutella, Dies at 97

The Italian chemist was instrumental in developing the iconic Nuss-Nougat spread that became a global sensation.

Francesco Rivella, a food chemist who worked for Ferrero, co-developed Nutella in 1964 alongside Michele Ferrero, transforming an earlier product into the famous spread.
Rivella joined Ferrero in 1952 and contributed significantly to the company's growth into a global confectionery giant, producing 500,000 tons of Nutella annually.
He passed away on February 14, 2025, at the age of 97, exactly ten years after the death of Michele Ferrero, his longtime collaborator and the company's patriarch.
In addition to Nutella, Rivella played a key role in creating other Ferrero products like Mon Chéri and Kinder Schokolade, cementing his legacy in the confectionery world.
Nutella remains a cultural phenomenon, sold in over 160 countries, with its secret recipe and environmental impact continuing to draw both fascination and criticism.