Roberto Wirth passes away
Callie Frye, Daily Moth Reporter: Roberto Wirth, who was the owner, president and managing director of a five-star luxury hotel in Rome, Italy, has passed away according to a social media post on Sunday night by Hotel Hassler Roma.
The hotel posted a statement from Wirth’s two children, Roberto Jr. and Veruschka: “It is with deep sorrow and sadness that we have to announce the sudden death of our father, Roberto Enrico Wirth.”
Italian news outlet “Gambreo Rosso” said Wirth passed away at the age of 72. The cause of death was not disclosed.
For decades, his hotel attracted celebrities, world leaders, and the wealthy to its desirable location near the Spanish Steps and to its Michelin starred restaurant on its 6th floor, Imàgo.
“The Daily Moth'' did an interview with Wirth in 2021. Wirth said guests at his hotel included Audrey Hepburn, Princess Diana, Steve Jobs, and Tom Cruise.
[A video clip shows an ornate wooden suite with Roberto Wirth walking and showing the room]
Callie: How many rooms does the hotel have?
Roberto Wirth, Hassler Owner: In the past, there were 108 rooms. But now there are 87. It’s because the rooms were smaller in the past. They were smaller with bathrooms in them. It was a four-star hotel and now it’s a five-star. We had to expand them due to competition.
[Video clip of a hotel suite with ornate, patterned furniture, tile floor, and white sheer curtains]
[Image of Spanish Steps in Rome with text that reads: “The Hassler Roma is a five-star hotel located at the top of the Spanish Steps in Rome, Italy.]
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Wirth came from a family of Swiss hotel owners. His father, Oscar, took ownership of the Hassler Hotel in 1921. The building was demolished, completely rebuilt, and opened again in 1947. When Oscar passed away, his wife and Wirth’s mother, Carmen, ran the hotel. Wirth became the hotel’s general manager in 1982 and then took full ownership in 2001 when he bought his brother’s 50% stake in the hotel to own 100% of it.
When Wirth was younger, he attended Gallaudet University, Rochester Institute of Technology and Cornell University, where he graduated with a BA in hotel management. Throughout Wirth’s life, he supported the local and international deaf community in many different ways by establishing funds, scholarships, and serving on boards.
There are many tributes on social media by people who shared their memories and photos of their time with Wirth and the impact he had on them.
Instagram Post from Hassler: https://www.instagram.com/p/Ceb--aetCiV/
History: https://www.instagram.com/p/CCA2GcrjtbE/
Gambreo Rosso: https://www.gamberorosso.it/notizie/lutto-nel-mondo-dellospitalita-addio-a-roberto-wirth-patron-dellhotel-hassler-di-roma/
Ability Magazine: https://abilitymagazine.com/lemmon_wirth.html
Daily Moth Interview in 2021: https://www.dailymoth.com/blog/callie-in-rome-hotel-hassler-interview