In the tranquil hills of Solomeo, Italy, where medieval stone walls meet the sleek elegance of cashmere, lives a man who seems to defy age. Brunello Cucinelli—fashion magnate, philosopher at heart, and the sartorial spirit behind the world’s most refined wardrobes—doesn’t just talk about wellness. He lives it, breathes it, and massages it into every part of his day.
At 71, Cucinelli still radiates the vigor of a man half his age. His secret? A harmonious blend of physical vitality, philosophical balance, and timeless purpose.
A Life of Movement
Despite his age and billion-dollar brand, Cucinelli is no stranger to motion. “I’ve always been lively,” he says, recalling a boyhood spent climbing trees and walking fields with no television or electricity to distract him. That physicality stuck with him—from jujitsu and tennis in his youth to his current daily workouts in a sunlit home gym adorned with leather-stitched equipment, monogrammed boxing gloves, and handcrafted dumbbells.
His morning routine begins at 5:30 a.m., followed by a full day at the company’s HQ, where 90-minute lunches are not only allowed—they’re encouraged. He eats simply but intentionally: cappuccino and pastry for breakfast, pasta every afternoon, and no heavy dinners. “I’m always a little hungry,” he admits, “but I sleep better and feel lighter.”
The Power of Stillness
Each day after lunch, Cucinelli takes a nap—naked, as he notes with a smile—before returning to work. But it’s not just the rest he values; it’s the pause. His workday ends promptly at 5:30 p.m. Overworking is discouraged. “We must protect our soul,” he says, echoing one of the Enlightenment philosophers he reveres.
Cucinelli’s influences include Kant, Socrates, Epicurus, and Marcus Aurelius—thinkers whose principles helped shape what he calls “a balanced life.” To him, longevity is not luck but the product of effort, awareness, and care. “One-third is inherited, one-third is destiny, and one-third is up to you,” he explains.
Wellness Beyond the Physical
Massage is more than relaxation for Cucinelli—it’s essential maintenance. For over two decades, he’s seen a 77-year-old physical therapist who once worked with world champion boxers. This physio uses a deeply intuitive, almost sculptural approach to massage, from hands to face, pressing and kneading to improve blood flow and muscle tone.
“You need blood in your face,” Brunello explains. “It brings you to life”
He also embraces modern regenerative techniques like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections for his face, scalp, and chest, believing deeply in the potential of medical science—so long as it respects the natural harmony of the body.
Humanistic Capitalism
Far from being all wellness routines and designer sweaters, Cucinelli has also championed a gentler, more sustainable approach to business. At the 2021 G20 Summit, he spoke on “Humanistic Capitalism and Human Sustainability.” He supports regenerative fashion labs in the Himalayas, contributes to cancer research, and writes about ethics in technology.
In his village, which he personally helped restore, employees dine in style, families are prioritized, and no one is expected to sacrifice their soul for a paycheck. “When the body is healthy, the mind and soul follow,” Cucinelli says. “And when that happens, you make better decisions.”
The Takeaway
You might not own a villa in Umbria or a wardrobe full of Cucinelli cashmere. But his philosophy—eating mindfully, resting intentionally, living with purpose, and honoring both your body and your soul—is free and available to anyone.
Brunello Cucinelli is not just alive at 71. He is vibrantly, elegantly, fully alive. And in a world that often celebrates speed and youth, his enduring calm and strength offer something far more valuable: a roadmap to aging with grace, wisdom, and undeniable style.
