- Legal action taken for alleged withdrawals totaling €200,000 (≈ $216,000)
- Guardianship established in 2024 and revoked in March 2025
- Complete break in contact within the family
Valentino Rossi is known for being reserved when it comes to private matters. This makes his public statements all the more striking since a family conflict ended up in court. The nine-time motorcycle world champion has filed a lawsuit against his father’s partner, accusing her of withdrawing significant amounts of money from Graziano Rossi’s assets without his consent.
Allegations against his father’s partner
Specifically, the case concerns a total of €200,000 (≈ $216,000), which, according to Rossi, was allegedly taken from his father’s assets. Of this, €176,000 (≈ $190,000) is said to have been withdrawn from an account, with a further €34,000 (≈ $37,000) in cash. Part of the sum is said to have been used for a loan, while other amounts are considered unclear. Whether this actually constitutes an unlawful act or is an internal family dispute must now be clarified by a court.
According to Valentino Rossi, the financial aspect is not the main issue for him. He told the Italian daily newspaper Corriere della Sera:
“It’s not about the money. That’s unimportant. Fortunately, it’s unimportant for me and also for Graziano.”
Guardianship and legal turning points
The current conflict has a long history. In 2024, Valentino Rossi was appointed his father’s guardian by the court. This was based on medical assessments that classified Graziano Rossi as a vulnerable person. The aim of the measure was to safeguard financial and personal decisions in the interests of the then 71-year-old.
However, in March 2025, there was a turnaround. Graziano Rossi applied to have the guardianship lifted. After a new medical examination, the court decided that he was once again considered healthy enough to make decisions independently. The application was granted, and Valentino Rossi’s legal role came to an end.
Increasing alienation within the family
Parallel to the legal developments, the family relationship deteriorated significantly. Valentino Rossi describes an almost complete break in contact with his father. “It’s as if I no longer have a father,” he explained. From his point of view, his father’s new relationship has led to a profound rift:
“His romantic relationship has led to a complete break in the family. And I don’t understand why that is. There is no longer any contact, as if we were a threat to him.”
Other family members are also affected. Rossi refers to the previously close relationship between his father, his mother Stefania, his half-sister Clara, and her mother Lorena, which is now also said to be strained.
Concern rather than financial interests
Despite the large sum of money involved, Valentino Rossi repeatedly emphasizes that his motivation is not material in nature. “Everything I have done is based on my love for him and my concern that he is not well,” he explained. He describes the lawsuit against his father’s partner as a last resort to clarify the situation and investigate possible influence.
It remains to be seen whether the court will uphold the allegations. Rossi himself sees the legal route as a painful but necessary step. “I pursued this matter out of love. There was no other reason. The situation makes me and everyone else very sad.”
The end result is a family conflict that goes far beyond financial issues. Regardless of the legal outcome, a deep personal estrangement remains, which is a considerable emotional burden for everyone involved.
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