 He is the grandson of Count Antonio Hercolani Fava Simonetti, who was Lieutenant Grand Master of the Order of Malta from 1951 to 1955.His grandfather married Donna Marianna Fava Ghisilieri Simonetti, a descendant of the Simonetti from Ancona (Princes of Musone).Fra' Gherardo joined the order in 1963 and became a Knight of Justice in 1977.