In 1980, Europe witnessed a remarkable event: the birth of the Giannini sextuplets in Florence, Italy. Franco and Rosanna Giannini, both 29-year-old schoolteachers, welcomed four boys—Fabrizio, Francesco, Giorgio, and Roberto—and two girls, Letizia and Linda. Born at 35 weeks and 6 days, each weighed between 1,200 and 1,750 grams. Their birth, only the second documented sextuplets in the world and the first in Europe, immediately made headlines. The family became celebrities, with magazines following their lives for years, putting them at the center of public attention.

Rosanna’s multiple pregnancy was assisted by hormone therapy under medical supervision, and she spent the last eight months before birth in the hospital to ensure the safety of herself and her babies. The initial media frenzy was intense: companies and government officials sent gifts and money, and reporters vied for exclusive access to the family. While some criticized the Gianninis for capitalizing on their children’s fame, the family explained that raising six children simultaneously was an enormous financial and logistical challenge, with all funds going toward their care.

As the sextuplets grew, challenges continued. Health issues arose, including Francesco needing a kidney transplant, while public scrutiny intensified. Despite these difficulties, the Giannini parents prioritized education and stability. All six children eventually graduated from school, and four went on to university, with their higher education funded entirely by Franco and Rosanna. Even when some adult children faced unemployment and lived at home, the family remained committed to supporting each other.

Over time, the family retreated from the media, especially after negative press in the 1990s. They briefly reconnected with journalists around milestone birthdays but often declined to share personal details. By 2015, Rosanna returned to teaching, securing a pension that allowed her to continue helping her children financially. The children pursued varied careers: Giorgio became an office employee, Letizia and Linda became literature teachers, Fabrizio earned a pedagogical degree, and Roberto works in the food service industry. Francesco, however, continued to face health challenges stemming from his earlier illness.

As of 2022, the Giannini sextuplets were 42 years old. Only Letizia, Linda, and Fabrizio had children, each daughter giving their parents one grandchild, while the others remained without offspring. Despite the hardships and public scrutiny, the family remained close, cherishing their unique bond and navigating life together. Rosanna expressed a wistful wish to see a “soccer team” of grandchildren one day, reflecting both the pride and the challenges of raising Europe’s first surviving sextuplets.