Mauro Morandi needed to abandon consumer society
The hermit-guardian of Italy’s loveliest beach died on January 3rd, aged 85
To Polynesia! That was where Mauro Morandi wanted to go. By 1989 he had the means to get there, a 16-metre seven-cabin catamaran, “a Ferrari of the seas”. Flat, dull Modena would be left behind; in the footsteps of Paul Gauguin he would discover tropical forests, coral reefs, turquoise lagoons and dark, brooding women. He would break with the Western world, and find himself.
Explore more
This article appeared in the Obituary section of the print edition under the headline “Mauro Morandi”
Obituary February 1st 2025
More from Obituary
David Lynch mesmerised filmgoers with mystery, beauty and horror
America’s strangest and most surreal film-maker died on January 16th, aged 78
Peter Fenwick became the world expert on near-death experiences
The neuropsychiatrist and promoter of “the art of dying” died on November 22nd, aged 89
Chiung Yao taught the Chinese all about romantic love
The bestselling novelist and screenwriter died on December 4th, aged 86
Jimmy Carter was perhaps the most virtuous of all America’s presidents
The humble peanut farmer who went to the White House died on December 29th, aged 100
Brother Harold Palmer lived alone in the wilds by choice
The Northumbrian hermit died on October 4th, aged 93
Shalom Nagar was picked by lottery to kill Adolf Eichmann
The Israeli prison officer turned ritual slaughterer died on November 26th, aged 88