Nadia Santini, the renowned chef who became the first woman in Italy to earn three Michelin stars, died on November 2, 2026, Gazzetta di Mantova reported. The announcement was first shared via the Instagram page of her restaurant, Dal Pescatore, on Monday, November 2, noting that she passed away surrounded by her loved ones.
Hundreds of people gathered in Canneto on November 4 to attend her funeral. The crowd included local residents from the hamlet of Runate, business owners, and high-profile culinary figures such as chefs Davide Oldani, Enrico Bartolini, and Moreno Cedroni, according to Gazzetta di Mantova.
A culinary legacy at Dal Pescatore
Santini co-managed the restaurant Dal Pescatore in Runate, located in the province of Mantova, alongside her husband, Antonio Santini. The establishment has held three Michelin stars continuously since 1996, making it one of the longest-reigning three-star restaurants in Italy, Sky TG24 reported.
Her professional achievements reached a global scale in 2013 when she was named the “World’s Best Female Chef” at the World’s 50 Best Restaurants competition organized by Restaurant magazine, La Provincia di Cremona reported. Sky TG24 added that while she had been battling illness for approximately 20 years, she never stopped working to maintain the restaurant’s standing at the top of Italian cuisine.
Pro tip: The Santini family has managed Dal Pescatore for generations, transitioning leadership from the founders to Nadia and Antonio, and now to their sons, Giovanni and Alberto.
Family reflections on a private struggle
Antonio Santini, who was married to Nadia for 52 years, revealed to Corriere della Sera that she had been battling breast cancer since 2014. He noted that she had experienced several recurrences and that this final episode was fatal following a week of physical decline and a period of unconsciousness.
Antonio described his wife as a deeply religious and intuitive woman who did not want to be a burden to others. He told Corriere della Sera that her last words were, “I am sorry to cause you all this trouble.”
The family expressed their gratitude for her influence on their lives, stating on social media that she taught them the importance of moral rigor, work ethics, and simplicity, La Provincia di Cremona reported.
The human side of a world-class chef
Beyond her professional accolades, Santini was recognized for her character during her time as a patient at the Poliambulanza hospital in Brescia. Don Gianluca, the hospital chaplain, told Gazzetta di Mantova that she often kept her status as a famous chef hidden from other patients. He described her as highly intelligent and well-read, noting that patients would wait to hear her words, which he said were “capable of healing hearts.”
Repubblica reported that Santini viewed cooking as an act of love and humanity, often describing her culinary philosophy as “humanistic.” She believed in a connection between food, culture, and the soul, once stating that sharing a meal at a table was a fundamental human experience.
Nadia Santini Career Milestones
| Year | Achievement | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 1982 | First Michelin Star | Sky TG24 |
| 1996 | Third Michelin Star | Sky TG24 |
| 2013 | World’s Best Female Chef | La Provincia di Cremona |
Frequently Asked Questions about Nadia Santini
What was Nadia Santini’s most significant culinary achievement?
She was the first female chef in Italy to be awarded three Michelin stars. She maintained this three-star status at Dal Pescatore continuously from 1996 onward, Sky TG24 reported.
How did Nadia Santini start her career in cooking?
She began as a self-taught cook and later refined her skills under the guidance of Teresa, Antonio’s grandmother, and Bruna, Antonio’s mother, after joining the family business in 1974, according to Sky TG24.
Who is managing Dal Pescatore now?
The restaurant is currently being run by her sons, Giovanni and Alberto Santini, continuing the family legacy, Sky TG24 reported.
The Santini family remains a central symbol of Italian gastronomy through their long-standing leadership of the Runate restaurant.
Earlier coverage: Nadia Santini, chef of Dal Pescatore, dies at 72
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