Shivangi Sinha
For Fabrizio Corona, financial power remained a central part of his identity, even during the years he spent in prison. Throughout much of the 2010s, the person he trusted most to manage his earnings was Francesca Persi, who handled his affairs during that period. In Netflix’s ‘Paparazzi King,’ Persi reflected on those years and spoke about her professional and personal dynamic with Corona. She discussed how she viewed him at the time, how their relationship evolved, and whether she carries any regrets about her involvement and gave a measured and reflective perspective on their shared past.
Francesca Persi Admitted to Hiding Money in the Walls of Fabrizio Corona’s Home
Francesca Persi was running a company called Atena during the early 2010s, a firm focused on PR and event management. Through this work, she became professionally close to Fabrizio Corona and gradually emerged as his most trusted ally. By the time Corona was incarcerated around 2015, Persi had effectively become his right-hand person, managing his businesses discreetly and keeping operations running behind the scenes. She later explained that communication with Corona was often difficult, which led her to take executive decisions on her own while also trying to protect his interests.
Persi admitted that, at Corona’s request, she concealed large sums of money inside the walls of his apartment, as well as in various safe houses and even her own home. She also alleged that media reports naming her in connection with hidden assets were followed by a burglary and she felt a heightened sense of fear and pressure. In one incident she described, she transported thousands of euros in her car on Corona’s instructions to ensure the cash remained undiscovered, knowing the kind of risk she was taking.
The situation reached a breaking point in October 2016, when about €1.7 million was discovered hidden in the ceiling of her apartment. Persi and Corona were arrested on charges related to concealing roughly €2.6 million in undeclared income. She spent 22 days in detention and remained under house arrest for ten months until August 2017. The consequences were devastating as she lost custody of her children for five years and she called it the greatest setback of her life. Persi has consistently maintained that there was no romantic relationship with Corona. She said that her actions were driven by loyalty and affection, and that she does not regret standing by him.
Francesca Persi Leads a Low-Profile Life With Her Two Sons Today
In October 2022, Francesca Persi and Fabrizio Corona were both acquitted after the court ruled that the funds recovered were legitimate assets belonging to Atena and that the related taxes had already been paid. The judges concluded with the finding “il fatto non sussiste,” a legal formula meaning that the alleged crime did not exist, fully clearing them of the charges. The ruling marked a decisive end to a case that had dominated Persi’s life for years.
Since then, Persi has maintained a minimal social presence and has deliberately stepped away from public attention. She is believed to be based in Milan, where she has been reunited with her two children, and is now living a quieter, more peaceful life. While she rarely shares personal details, occasional glimpses suggest a fondness for travel. In 2024, she visited Miami, Florida, and in January 2025, she celebrated her birthday in New York City with her children. After years of intense scrutiny and personal loss, Persi’s decision to remain private appears both intentional and earned, and it has allowed her to move forward on her own terms.
Read More: Vittorio Corona: How Did Fabrizio Corona’s Dad Die?
