A Landmark Victory for a Gucci Heiress
In a courtroom drama that has gripped the fashion and legal world alike, Alexandra Zarini, a Gucci heiress and children’s advocate, has won a staggering $115 million in damages after a jury found her former stepfather liable for years of sexual abuse.
The case, which she described as both “painful and scary,” is being hailed as a landmark moment for survivors of childhood abuse.
A Childhood Shadowed by Abuse
Zarini, now 40, revealed that the abuse began when she was just six years old.
Her stepfather, Joseph Ruffalo, 85, was accused of repeatedly molesting her over the years, leaving deep emotional scars.
The revelations shattered the Gucci family, prompting Zarini’s mother, Patricia Gucci, to file for divorce from Ruffalo in 2007 after learning of her daughter’s allegations.
The Jury Delivers Justice
On Tuesday, a Los Angeles Superior Court jury of twelve—six men and six women—took less than three hours to deliver a unanimous verdict.
Ruffalo was found liable for sexual battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
During the reading of the verdict in Department 57, a single tear rolled down Zarini’s cheek.
Dressed in a somber black outfit, she sat beside her husband, quietly absorbing the moment.
Speaking Out After Years of Silence
Following the verdict, Zarini expressed gratitude to the jury and reflected on the long and difficult journey.
She shared that the abuse had caused trust issues with men, leading her to feel safer dating women when she was younger.
Zarini explained that she decided to take legal action after seeing Ruffalo’s LinkedIn profile announcing volunteer work at a children’s hospital.
Her aim, she said, was to “stand up to my abuser” and seek justice.
Family Tensions and Reconciliation
The case also exposed deep divisions within the Gucci family.
Zarini’s sister, Victoria Gucci-Losio, 35, initially did not want to testify, causing a long estrangement between the sisters.
During the trial, some reconciliation occurred, but tensions remained high.
Under questioning, Gucci-Losio revealed that she too had been molested by Ruffalo as a child, beginning at the age of four and continuing frequently after she turned nine.
A Message for the Future
Zarini told the court directly: “If I had the strength, I would have punched you in the face for sexually abusing my little sister.”
Her attorney, Dordick, described the verdict as a “landmark” ruling and stated that all compensation will be used to protect children from abuse.
Ruffalo was labeled a “child molester” and a “monster” by Dordick, while co-counsel Donna Rotunno emphasized the need for reforms to make it easier for survivors to come forward, even decades after the abuse.
Reflection and Accountability
Gucci-Losio highlighted the importance of truth, saying: “To me, the truth has always been important.”
The jury foreman praised Zarini’s testimony as “very convincing,” underscoring her bravery in sharing her story.
For Zarini, this victory is not only a personal triumph but a powerful message to survivors everywhere that justice, even after many years, is possible.