Calisto Tanzi, Who Built Dairy Giant That Collapsed, Dies at 83

Calisto Tanzi, who grew his father’s ham business into the global dairy company Parmalat Finanziaria SpA before leading it into bankruptcy, has died at age 83.

Tanzi’s death on Jan. 1 was reported by Italian media. No cause of death was given.

The white-haired Tanzi, a patron of the arts in his hometown of Parma, represented the entrepreneurial spirit that’s made the north of Italy one of the richest regions in Europe. He came to epitomize Italy’s tradition of family-run companies that largely resist financial scrutiny from investors and regulators.

Calisto Tanzi

Photographer: Giuseppe Aresu/Bloomberg

Tanzi’s run of luck ended when he was ...