Emilio Fede, the former director of Tg4, has recently come under the spotlight due to a viral video captured at the residential care facility he has been staying at. Now 93 years old, Fede, who has had a long, storied career as one of Italy's prominent journalists, is currently receiving care at a Residenza Sanitaria Assistenziale (RSA) facility. His health has been progressively declining, leading to his admission to the facility several months ago.
The stirring video showing Fede was posted on TikTok by user @Malignu_original, presumably one of the staff at the facility. It quickly garnered attention, reaching over 1.4 million views as of the time of the report. The video features the elderly journalist responding to playful inquiries about contemporary Italian politics, particularly about leaders like Silvio Berlusconi and Giorgia Meloni.
When asked if he preferred Berlusconi or Meloni, Fede replied without hesitating, "It was absolutely Berlusconi. Hello President, I love you." This sentiment reflects not only his long-time allegiance to Berlusconi but also stirs conversations around Meloni and the current political climate. The operator then encouraged Fede to repeat one of his famous lines from the television show Striscia la Notizia, leading him to exclaim, "What a mess!"—a phrase he has long been associated with.
This interaction captured on film reignited discussions about Fede's legacy and current state, as the video has sparked both ridicule and sympathy from the public. While many reacted with jokes and some outright cruel comments comparing him to historical figures from different eras, others voiced concern and respect for his age and situation. Comments ranged from light-hearted banter to serious calls for respect for the elderly, emphasizing the duality of responses from social media users.
Fede's family has expressed their discontent about the video's emergence, mentioning they were completely unaware of the situation until the clip began circulating on social media. It came to light through a conversation with Kevin Dellino, one of Fede's former associates, who confirmed the family's discomfort over the violation of Fede's privacy and dignity as they plan to take actions against the operator responsible for filming and sharing the video.
Following the video's spread, Fede’s daughter reached out to the RSA management to discuss possible actions. She highlighted the necessity of ensuring her father's privacy is respected during such vulnerable moments.
Initially reported by various outlets, including Dagospia, Fede's admission to the facility has been tied to his health issues stemming from multiple falls, which eventually brought him to hospitalization due to worsened conditions. After spending time at San Raffaele hospital, where his health deteriorated, the decision was made for him to transition to the RSA for better long-term care.
Reflecting on Fede's extensive career, many longtime viewers and fans recall his impactful presence on television, especially during his years leading Tg4, where he became known for his unique reporting style and strong opinions. His relationship with Silvio Berlusconi has often been discussed, particularly how this connection has influenced various aspects of Italian media and politics.
While the viral nature of the video has plunged him back under the public's gaze, it also raises ethical concerns about the treatment of elderly public figures as vulnerable individuals whose privacy should be safeguarded. Fede himself has had serious ups and downs. He had previously faced legal troubles, serving time under house arrest and later being placed under social services supervision due to his involvement with the 2012 Ruby judicial case.
His family has played a significant role in helping him navigate these challenges, and after being released, he has expressed desires to lead a quieter life, albeit one where he still engages with his past connections and the world around him.
Fede's story continues, and as the repercussions of his viral video play out online and beyond, it raises questions not only about celebrity and media ethics but also about compassion and respect for those we see aging and struggling with their health.
His longstanding reputation as both an influential journalist and the embodiment of change over the decades makes Emilio Fede not just anyone; he is watched closely as memories of his contributions continue to resonate among those who followed his career.