Pietro Mezzaroma, the construction magnate who briefly co-owned AS Roma in 1993, died on 4 August at the age of 91. Mezzaroma entered Roma's ownership on 2 June 1993 as part of a rescue effort to save the club after president Ciarrapico's arrest left the organisation in severe financial distress. Alongside Franco Sensi, he became part of a two-headed ownership structure, but the arrangement proved difficult to sustain given both men's commanding personalities. By November 1993—a span of only a few months—Mezzaroma stepped aside with characteristic dignity, allowing Sensi to take full control. "It is an act of responsibility," Mezzaroma said of his involvement, words that reflected his lifelong preference for action over rhetoric.
Mezzaroma's life story embodied post-war Roman reconstruction. Starting as a carpenter alongside his father, he rose to become a major property developer whose company, Impreme (Imprese Mezzaroma), shaped the Capital's expansion across districts including Cinecittà, Torrino, San Basilio, and the EUR. He felt duty-bound to repay the city that had enabled his success as an entrepreneur. During his brief months at Roma, he applied the same meticulous attention to club affairs that had built his business, overseeing the youth academy where his son Massimo worked and where a young Francesco Totti was emerging. Though he departed Roma's ownership structure, he remained a devoted, if superstitious, supporter—so affected by Roma's 1984 European Cup final loss to Liverpool that he avoided attending matches thereafter, fearing he brought bad luck. He is survived by four children: Barbara, Valentina, Alessandra, and Massimo, who went on to lead Siena and AS Roma Volley.
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Pietro Mezzaroma, the construction magnate who briefly co-owned AS Roma, died on 4 August at the age of 91. Born in Rome in 1935, Mezzaroma rose from his father's carpentry business to become a defining figure in the capital's post-war urban development. With his brothers, he founded Imprese Mezzaroma, which transformed neighbourhoods including Cinecittà, EUR, Torrino, San Basilio, and others across Rome. Il Messaggero notes his reputation for pragmatism and direct action, with a former builders' association president recalling his preference for concrete results over flowery language.
In 1993, Mezzaroma joined Franco Sensi as co-owner of AS Roma during a rescue effort following president Ciarrapico's arrest. Il Romanista reports the partnership began on 2 June 1993 but proved difficult given both men's commanding personalities. By November, Mezzaroma stepped aside with characteristic dignity, allowing Sensi full control. During his brief tenure, he oversaw the youth academy where his son Massimo worked and where Francesco Totti was emerging. Though he left Roma's ownership, Mezzaroma remained a devoted supporter, though Il Romanista notes he avoided attending matches after Roma's 1984 European Cup final loss to Liverpool, believing he brought bad luck.
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Testo Originale / Source Text
“«Per battere questa Lazio basta Mezzaroma, in tutti i Sensi». Lo striscione fu esposto in Sud nel derby del 24 ottobre 1993. Pochi giorni dopo, la mezza Roma di Franco Sensi divenne tutta intera, rilevando il 50% di quote di Pietro Mezzaroma. Durò quindi pochi mesi l’avventura da co-proprietario…”
Read the full article in Italian at Il Romanista.
