Vittorio Sgarbi hospitalized in intensive care at Gemelli

Italian art critic and former Undersecretary of Culture Vittorio Sgarbi, 74, has been hospitalized in intensive care at the Policlinico Gemelli in Rome. Medical bulletins indicate he was admitted due to respiratory failure, possibly caused by a pulmonary infection. While his condition is described as “critiche ma stabili” (critical but stable), the situation remains under close observation.

This hospitalization follows a period of documented health struggles for Sgarbi, including a severe depressive episode in early 2025 that led to significant weight loss. His daughter, Evelina, expressed profound distress after visiting him, describing his state as one of “sofferenza estrema” (extreme suffering). She has previously sought legal measures to appoint a support administrator for her father, citing concerns over his ability to manage his own interests and alleging that his well-being has been neglected by those around him.

Sgarbi has a history of medical issues, including a heart procedure in 2016 and treatment for prostate cancer in 2021. Despite recent health challenges, he had maintained a public presence, participating in cultural events in Ferrara and Rovereto as recently as late summer.