Renato Ruggiero (9 April 1930 – 4 August 2013) was an Italian diplomat and politician. He was Director-General of the World Trade Organization from 1995 to 1999 and briefly served as Italy's Foreign Minister in 2001. Biography Born in Naples on 9 April 1930, Ruggiero graduated from Naples University in 1953 with a law degree, thereafter entering the foreign service. He subsequently held posts in private firms such as Fiat and the energy firm ENI. After a brilliant business career he became a top-ranking diplomat, and was involved in tough situations such as the Sigonella crisis in 1985. He was famous for his abilities as a strong-minded negotiator and thus earned the nickname of "Rocky" Ruggiero. At the time of his death in 2013, Ruggiero was an Ambassador and was working for Citigroup. He was a member of the Steering Committee of the Bilderberg Group. Honors Order of Merit of the Italian Republic 1st Class / Knight Grand Cross – 3 October 1985 Ruggiero was awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of the Sacred Treasure by the government of Japan. See also Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Italy) Foreign relations of Italy References 1930 births 2013 deaths Foreign ministers of Italy Citigroup people Members of the Steering Committee of the Bilderberg Group Permanent Representatives of Italy to the European Union Italian diplomats 20th-century diplomats Politicians from Naples Directors-General of the World Trade Organization University of Naples Federico II alumni Recipients of the Order of the Sacred Treasure Diplomats from Naples