Nicola Pietrangeli bedded TV star 28 years his junior and nonetheless bonked at 90 on Viagra
Tennis icon Nicola Pietrangeli has died at 92, as he’s remembered not only for his glorious wins on the court but also as a “ladies man” who bedded a stunning model and then a TV host
Nicola Pietrangeli didn’t consider himself a “ladies man” – he believed it was a label that others had given him.
However, the two-time Grand Slam champion, Italy’s most accomplished tennis player before Jannik Sinner, who passed away aged 92 on Monday, would be left left by the mother of his three kids over infidelity before he hooked up with a TV host who was 28 years his junior and still bonked into his 90s thanks to Viagra.
The Italian tennis great’s first love was Susanna Artero. Susanna had “all of Rome after her” according to Pietrangeli, who admitted: “I fell in love with the brunette. We got together as kids: I was 21, she was 18.” And together they had three sons: Marco, Giorgio (who passed away on July 4, 2025), and Filippo.
However, their relationship would fall apart when Susanna accused him of cheating. Pietrangeli rejected these claims – kind of – when he said: “My wife Susanna left me because she claimed I was cheating on her. In reality, it’s not true.
“At most, I cheated on her, which is very different.” Despite seemingly admitted that he was unfaithful at least one, he would double down on his argument, claiming he never cheated on the four most important women in his life.
“Once, you can’t even call it cheating.” He add: “In Monte Carlo, I found myself in the bedroom with an ex-girlfriend of mine; I even fell asleep… I think a man can cheat even without getting involved.”
Pietrangeli would find love again shortly after the separating, bedding Licia Colò, who was 28 years his junior. It was headline news in Italy as the pair both described it as a great love.
Licia earned fame and fortune as the presenter of travel programs, such as ‘Alle falde del Kilimangiaro’ and writing several books about her experiences around the world.
The Italian great admitted he hoped Licia would be his “final love” – but they went their separate ways after seven years. “I loved all of them,” he later admitted. “And all four left me… I suppose I must have deserved it.”
He would often speak about his four women: Susanna, Licia and then Lorenza and Paola, two companions he would meet later in life.
Speaking about his life, Italian sports commentator Rino Tommasi said: “Nicola could not live differently, he would never say no to a party, a dinner, a woman to play a better game.”
Pietrangeli continued to bonk into his 90s, even admitting to use Viagra to aid his performance in the bedroom: “But it’s better not to tell women; they get offended, thinking I don’t find them attractive.”
Pietrangeli passed away on Monday (December 1) after his health had been steadily declining over the past 12 months.
The Italian Tennis Federation confirmed Pietrangeli’s passing with a statement: “Italian tennis mourns its icon.
“Nicola Pietrangeli, the only Italian tennis player inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, has died at the age of 92.”
