Leonarda Cianciulli was born in Montella , Avellino . While still a young girl , she attempted suicide twice . In 1917 , Cianciulli married a registry office clerk , Raffaele Pansardi . Her parents did not approve of the marriage , as they had planned to marry her to another man . Cianciulli claimed that on this occasion her mother cursed them . In 1921 , the couple moved to Pansardi 's native town of Lauria , Potenza , where Cianciulli was sentenced and imprisoned for fraud in 1927 . When released , the couple moved to Lacedonia , Avellino . After their home was destroyed in the 1930 Irpinia earthquake , they moved once more to Correggio , Reggio Emilia , where Cianciulli opened a small shop . She was very popular and well-respected within her neighborhood
1930 Irpinia earthquake
1930 Irpinia earthquake
Leonarda Cianciulli