Zucchero Fornaciari Biography: Wife, Age, Children, Net Worth, Height, Albums, Songs, Tours

Adelmo Fornaciari, known professionally as Zucchero Fornaciari or simply Zucchero, is an Italian singer-songwriter and musician celebrated for his soulful blend of blues, rock, gospel, and Italian ballads. His stage name, meaning “sugar” in Italian, was a childhood nickname from his elementary school teacher.

Hailed as the “father of Italian blues,” Zucchero has sold over 60 million records worldwide across a career spanning four decades. His international hits, including “Senza una donna (Without a Woman)” with Paul Young and “Diamante,” have earned him global acclaim, two World Music Awards, and a Grammy nomination.

Profile

• Full Name: Adelmo Fornaciari
• Stage Name: Zucchero Fornaciari
• Born: 25 September, 1955
• Age: 69 years old
• Birthplace: Roncocesi, Reggio Emilia, Italy
• Nationality: Italian
• Occupation: Singer-Songwriter, Musician
• Height: 1.78 m
• Parents: Giuseppe Fornaciari, Rina Bondavalli
• Siblings: None
• Spouse: Angela Figliè (1980–1992), Francesca Mozer (1992–present)
• Children: Alice Fornaciari, Irene Fornaciari, Adelmo Blue Fornaciari
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $85 million

Early Life and Education

Adelmo Fornaciari was born on September 25, 1955, in Roncocesi, a small village near Reggio Emilia, Italy, to Giuseppe Fornaciari and Rina Bondavalli, both from rural families. He had no siblings.

As a child, he moved to Forte dei Marmi, where he sang in the local church choir and learned to play the organ. At 13, an African-American friend introduced him to soul and blues, sparking his passion for music.

He graduated as an industrial surveyor from ITIS Galileo Galilei in Carrara and briefly studied veterinary medicine at the University of Bologna before dedicating himself fully to music. His ethnicity is Italian, and he has publicly identified as an atheist.

Career

Adelmo Fornaciari began his musical journey in the late 1960s, forming bands like Sugar & Daniel and Le Nuove Luci, performing in Romagna’s ballrooms. His early years were challenging, leading him to take jobs as a deli worker and turner while writing songs for artists like Iva Zanicchi.

In 1981, he won the Castrocaro Festival with his band Taxi, and his 1983 debut solo album, Un po’ di Zucchero, though commercially unsuccessful, marked his entry into the industry. A pivotal moment came in 1984 when he moved to San Francisco, collaborating with producer Corrado Rustici and bassist Randy Jackson on Zucchero & The Randy Jackson Band, which included his first hit, “Donne.”

Zucchero’s breakthrough arrived with his 1987 album Blue’s, which sold 1.5 million copies in Italy alone, becoming the best-selling album of the year. His 1989 album Oro, Incenso & Birra surpassed it, selling over 8 million copies worldwide, featuring hits like “Diamante” (written for his grandmother by Francesco De Gregori) and collaborations with Ennio Morricone and Eric Clapton.

His 1991 duet “Senza una donna” with Paul Young reached No. 4 in the UK, cementing his international fame. The 1995 album Spirito DiVino, with hits like “Il Volo,” sold 2.5 million copies in Europe, earning 10 platinum certifications in Italy.

Today, Zucchero remains a global force, with his 2025 Overdose D’Amore World Tour selling out venues like Circo Massimo and Malta’s Ghaxaq Music Festival. His 2019 album D.O.C., a tribute to Domenico Modugno, earned a Latin Grammy nomination, while the 2024 re-release of Spirito DiVino 30th Anniversary celebrates his enduring legacy.

Known for collaborations with legends like Luciano Pavarotti, Sting, and Bono, Zucchero’s distinctive blend of Mediterranean melodies and American blues continues to resonate. His contributions to charity, including performances at Nelson Mandela’s 46664 concerts, and his role as a patron for Telethon, underscore his lasting influence.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @zuccherosugar
• Facebook Handle: Zucchero Sugar Fornaciari
• Twitter Handle: @ZuccheroSugar

Personal Life

Zucchero married Angela Figliè in 1980, with whom he has two daughters, Alice and Irene Fornaciari, the latter also a singer-songwriter. After their divorce in 1992, he married Francesca Mozer in 1992, and they have a son, Adelmo Blue, born in 1998.

In 2012, he adopted two children from Kenya at a distance, supporting their education.

Discography

• Un po’ di Zucchero (1983)
• Zucchero & The Randy Jackson Band (1985)
• Rispetto (1986)
• Blue’s (1987)
• Oro, Incenso & Birra (1989)
• Zucchero (1991)
• Miserere (1992)
• Spirito DiVino (1995)
• The Best of Zucchero Sugar Fornaciari’s Greatest Hits (1996)
• BlueSugar (1998)
• Shake (2001)
• Zu & Co. (2004)
• Fly (2006)
• Chocabeck (2010)
• La Sesión Cubana (2012)
• Black Cat (2016)
• D.O.C. (2019)
• Inacustico – D.O.C. & More (2021)

Net Worth

Zucchero has an estimated net worth of $85 million USD. His wealth stems from over 60 million records sold worldwide, extensive global tours, and lucrative collaborations with artists like Eric Clapton and Sting. Albums like Oro, Incenso & Birra and Spirito DiVino, alongside hits such as “Senza una donna,” have driven his commercial success.