Yahoo Lifestyle Fans Pay Tribute After Nutella Inventor Francesco Rivella Passes Away at 97: 'The Real Willy Wonka'
Francesco Rivella, the man behind the creation of Nutella, has died. He was 97.
The Italian chemist who is credited with developing the beloved Ferrero chocolate hazelnut spread died on Valentine's Day on Friday, Feb. 14, according to a report from the Daily Mail.
The outlet reports that Rivella's death was confirmed by his family.
Rivella was known as the "Father of Nutella," after playing a crucial role in the creation of the creamy chocolatey-hazelnut goodness. He is also credited with coming up with the name of the spread.
The Piedmont, Italy native joined Ferrero in 1952, working as a "right-hand man" to Michele Ferrero, son of Ferrero founder Pietro Ferrero. According to the Daily Mail, Rivella "traveled widely" to find the perfect ingredients for the creation, and helped innovate tasty products from the company's chocolate "Chemistry Room."
He was also with the company during the creation of other household brands, including TicTac, Kinder, and Ferrero Rocher, before resigning from the company in 1993.
In light of his death, tributes from fans have been pouring in online to memorialize the Nutella inventor, who was a widowed father of four at the time of his passing.
"Going to eat a full jar of Nutella today in his honor," one user wrote on X, while someone else said Rivella "created one of the greatest treats ever."
"I am going to Costco & buy the biggest jar they have in his honour RIP," another user added.
Someone else wrote, "RIP to the legend who turned hazelnuts into happiness - may his chocolatey spirit spread joy for eternity!"
Another user called the late chocolatier "The REAL Willy Wonka.."
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