After a degree in Literature in 1941 from the Scuola Normale of Pisa, one of the country's most prestigious universities, he obtained a degree in Law from the University of Pisa in 1946. That same year he began working at the Banca d'Italia. In 1960 he was called to work in the central administration of the Banca d'Italia and in 1973 he became secretary general, vice director general in 1976 and director general in 1978. In october 1979 he was nominated Governor of the Banca d'Italia and president of the Ufficio Italiano Cambi, positions he filled until 1993. From April 1993 to May 1994 he was prime minister, overseeing a transition government. Thereafter he became Treasury Minister (from 1996 to May 1999). He is credited for getting Italy into the euro currency.
