Opera singer Katia Ricciarelli and television presenter Mara Venier arrived arm-in-arm at the wake for iconic host Pippo Baudo, held at Rome’s Teatro delle Vittorie. Upon entering, they embraced Roberto Sergio, the Director General of Italian public broadcaster RAI.
Within the studio where Baudo produced his most famous programmes, his coffin rests at the foot of a red curtain, encircled by red roses. A television screen displays highlights from the presenter’s career, with footage also projected at the venue entrance. Among the floral tributes surrounding the coffin, guarded by a Carabinieri honor guard in full dress uniform, prominent wreaths stand out from the President of the Republic, the President of the Chamber of Deputies, the Mayor of Rome, and RAI.
Venier and Ricciarelli took seats in the area reserved for family members, where they embraced Baudo’s daughter and his personal assistant.
Among the earliest arrivals were also Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, lawyer Giorgio Assumma, presenter Gigi Marzullo, and actress Gloria Guida.
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