Rita Levi-Montalcini 1909 – 2012

Biography

Rita Levi-Montalcini was born on April 22, 1909, in Turin, Italy, where she would begin a life dedicated to understanding the mysteries of the human nervous system. As an Italian neurologist, she devoted her career to advancing scientific knowledge during a transformative period in medical research. Her work reflected both intellectual curiosity and remarkable perseverance throughout her professional life.

On December 30, 2012, Rita passed away in Rome at the age of 103, her life ending peacefully from cardiac arrest. Her remarkable longevity allowed her to witness tremendous changes in neurology and medicine over the course of her long career. She left behind a legacy shaped by decades of scientific contribution and dedication to her field.

Rita was laid to rest at the Monumental Cemetery of Turin, returning to the city where her extraordinary journey began more than a century earlier. Her final resting place stands as a quiet testament to a life well-lived in service of scientific discovery.