Italian chemist Francesco Rivella, best known as the inventor of Nutella, died at the age of 97.
The Italian media dubbed him the "father" of Nutella. He played a crucial role in creating the world's most famous hazelnut spread.
Rivella began working at Ferrero, an Italian chocolate and confectionary company, in 1952, years before Nutella was introduced to the world.
During his long career at Ferrero, Rivella became a senior manager with the company, which was founded by Pietro Ferrero in 1946.
The first iteration of what would become Nutella was originally called Giandujot. It was derived from gianduja, a confection made with chocolate and hazelnuts, and sold in 1946.
By 1951, the paste was transformed into a creamy new product - SuperCrema. It took more than a decade for the product to be improved, leading to the creation of the first-ever jar of hazelnut and cocoa cream in 1964.
Rivella is survived by three sons, a daughter, and seven grandchildren. Michele Ferrero died on February 14, 2015, 10 years before Rivella's death.
After retiring, Rivella dedicated himself to fruit farming and the traditional Italian sport of pallapugno.
He lived in Alba after his retirement; he was laid to rest in Barbaresco.
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