Shivangi Sinha
Netflix’s ‘Paparazzi King’ traces the turbulent life of Fabrizio Corona and gives a closer look at one of Italy’s most infamous media figures. The documentary introduces him as a former paparazzo and entrepreneur who rose to prominence through celebrity photography and tabloid culture. It explores his childhood, early ambitions, and professional rise, before delving into the many scandals that defined his public image. The series also examines his repeated encounters with the legal system, including multiple prison sentences, and follows his attempts at reinvention.
Fabrizio Corona Was Embroiled in Many Legal Cases Throughout His Career
Fabrizio Maria Corona was born on March 29, 1974, to Vittorio and Gabriella Corona and grew up alongside his two brothers, Francesco and Federico. His father was a highly respected Italian journalist, which meant Fabrizio spent much of his childhood surrounded by prominent public figures, media personalities, and celebrities. Exposure to that world came early, but Fabrizio was determined to carve out an identity separate from his father’s legacy. His professional journey began in the late 1990s when he started working with talent agent Lele Mora, a powerful figure in Italy’s entertainment industry known for managing television stars, models, and showbiz personalities. Together, they operated at the center of celebrity culture and media influence.
Fabrizio co-founded Corona’s, a photographic agency based in Milan that quickly became his personal brand. What began as a media business later expanded into a clothing and lifestyle label, closely tied to the aggressive paparazzi culture of the time. The agency specialized in obtaining and selling exclusive celebrity photographs, often operating in ethically gray areas that blurred the line between journalism and exploitation. On March 13, 2007, Corona was arrested in connection with the Vallettopoli scandal, a high-profile investigation into alleged extortion and blackmail involving celebrities and paparazzi. The case transformed him into a public figure himself. He spent 77 days in custody between Potenza and San Vittore prisons. While some case strands, including the Rome branch, were later archived, proceedings in Turin continued.
The years that followed proved especially turbulent for Fabrizio Corona. In February and March 2008, he was charged with circulating counterfeit €100 banknotes and was later convicted, receiving a sentence of one year and six months in prison. After his release, further legal trouble followed. In connection with the so-called Trezeguet extortion case, an investigation involving the alleged blackmail of footballer David Trezeguet using compromising material, Fabrizio was charged again, and in January 2012, he was sentenced to five years in prison. As the sentence was handed down, Corona fled to France with his close associate, Antonio Cannuccia, though he surrendered shortly afterward.
Fabrizio Corona Was Connected to Several High-Profile Cases After His Release
He was extradited back to Italy and transferred to the maximum-security Casa di Reclusione Milano-Opera prison. In January 2015, Italy’s Court of Cassation issued a final ruling, confirming a cumulative sentence totaling 13 years and two months, combining previous convictions. Following widespread public support, he was granted community release in June 2015. However, in October 2016, he was rearrested after authorities discovered €1.7 million in hidden assets concealed within the walls of his home. Fabrizio continued to move in and out of prison and house arrest in the years that followed, largely due to repeated violations of his release conditions and related issues.
In March 2021, he was rearrested for further breaches and was hospitalized after what was reported as an act of self-harm in protest. He was later transferred to Monza prison. By September 2023, he regained full freedom after serving the minimum requirements of his main sentence. However, controversy continued to follow him. In 2023, Fabrizio publicly accused several high-profile footballers of involvement in illegal gambling. While his statements did not result in criminal charges against him, they did trigger internal investigations and raise widespread suspicion. In July 2023, he was also linked to the so-called Messina Denaro Files in a case of alleged attempted receipt of illicit goods (tentata ricettazione). The matter involved accusations and investigations, but no convictions were ultimately handed down.
Fabrizio Corona is Running His YouTube Channel Today
In early 2024, Fabrizio launched his own YouTube channel, where he began producing shows such as ‘Falsissimo’ and ‘Corona On Air.’ Through these formats, he presents what he describes as exposés, investigations, and behind-the-scenes accounts of celebrity culture. The content closely resembles tabloid-style reporting with gossip, commentary, and unverified claims. In August 2025, actor Raoul Bova filed a lawsuit against Fabrizio alleging defamation, violation of privacy, and the dissemination of personal data, after private Telegram audio messages involving influencer Martina Ceretti were allegedly circulated. More recently, he made allegations involving Alfonso Signorini linking him to claims made by former ‘Grande Fratello’ contestant Antonio Medugno.
Fabrizio has alleged these were acts of retaliation. In December 2025, he was reportedly indicted and questioned in connection with the matter, which remains ongoing. He maintains that he possesses documentation and evidence to support his assertions, and no final judgments have been issued. Since January 2026, Fabrizio has also marked the official end of his sentence, which was handed down to him in 2013. He has a prominent presence on social media, with approximately 2.1 million followers on Instagram alone and 866k subscribers on his YouTube channel. He also runs his Falsissimo store and has a consulting and advisory firm called Atena Factory, through which he assists in brand building. With so many endeavors, it does not seem like he will stop anytime soon, and he has many hopes for what the future holds in store for him.
Related
Fabrizio Corona is Devoted to His Fiancée and Two Sons
Much like his professional journey, Fabrizio’s personal life has been marked by highs and lows that have largely unfolded in the public eye. In June 2001, he married Croatian model Nina Moric, who was at the height of her career at the time. Fabrizio became closely involved in managing aspects of her work. Their son, Carlos Maria Corona, was born in 2002, but both Nina and Fabrizio later described their marriage as deeply turbulent. Nina has said it was the unhappiest period of her life, and in 2007, she served Fabrizio with divorce papers while he was incarcerated.
Around 2009, Fabrizio began a relationship with Belén Rodríguez, but intense media scrutiny and his repeated legal troubles ultimately led to its collapse. Since 2021, he has been in a relationship with Sara Barbieri. The couple welcomed a son in November 2024 and are raising him together. In August 2025, Fabrizio proposed to her in an intimate setting, and it appears that they are excited to start their new life together. He is a devoted father and maintains a stable relationship with Carlos as well. He seems to be content with his current life and is happy with what life has given him.
