**Oliviero Toscani: Iconic Photographer and Provocateur Passes Away at 82**

**Oliviero Toscani, famed for his provocative images that tackled essential social issues, has died at the age of 82; his remarkable career featured iconic work for Benetton, redefining fashion advertising.**

Oliviero Toscani, the Italian photographer celebrated for his bold and sometimes shocking advertising campaigns for the fashion brand Benetton, has passed away at the age of 82, confirmed by his family. Toscani's wife, Kirsti, shared the heartbreaking news via Instagram, stating that he began “his next journey” on January 13, 2025. The seasoned photographer had been struggling with amyloidosis, a rare and incurable condition affecting vital organs, which he disclosed last year.

Just days before his passing, Toscani was hospitalized in serious condition at Cecina, close to his home in Tuscany. Despite his health issues, he maintained an unapologetic outlook on life, confessing in an interview last year his unintentional weight loss of 40 kg (88 lbs) and expressing indifference toward life in his weakened state.

A known innovator in addressing pressing social issues through his art, Toscani’s work spanned themes including AIDS, racism, war, and the death penalty. In homage to his impact, Benetton shared a memorable photograph he took for their ad campaign in 1989, expressing deep gratitude for the way his artwork communicated complex themes without words.

Born on February 28, 1942, Toscani’s background as the son of a prominent photographer set the stage for his illustrious career. He studied art in Zurich and worked with notable fashion magazines like Vogue and GQ, even propelling model Monica Bellucci to stardom. However, Toscani truly captured public attention during his 18 years as creative director at Benetton, where he became internationally recognized for his avant-garde approach.

His time at Benetton was marked by eye-catching campaigns that often ignited fierce debate. Campaigns featuring graphic imagery, such as the bloodied clothing of a soldier from Bosnia and a dying AIDS patient, provoked significant backlash and boycotts of the brand. Toscani aimed to challenge traditional perceptions of beauty and success promoted by the fashion industry by focusing on disturbing realities instead.

Though he parted ways with Benetton in 2000, following disputes over the content of his last campaign featuring death row inmates, Toscani continued to influence the industry. He infamously captured the struggles of anorexia in 2007 with a powerful image of model Isabelle Caro that sparked global discourse around body image and fashion.

Toscani briefly returned to work with Benetton in 2017 but faced criticism for his remarks on the 2018 Morandi Bridge disaster, leading to his departure once more. He is survived by his wife, Kirsti, and three children, Rocco, Lola, and Ali, leaving a complicated yet fascinating legacy that challenged societal norms.