Wilma De Angelis Dies at 96 in Milan

The Passing of Italy’s First Culinary Television Pioneer

Wilma De Angelis died at her home in Milan at age 96.

Her nephew, Fabio De Angelis, announced the death in a Facebook post, writing that she lived a life worthy of being lived. The announcement noted that her songs, sympathy, smile, and joy of living would warm hearts forever.

From Jazz Stages to the Sanremo Festival

De Angelis studied singing from childhood.

In 1956, she was crowned the queen of Italian jazz at Boario Terme, launching a recording career that produced cult 45 rpm records including “La Casetta in Canadà.” She performed alongside major figures such as Mina and Giorgio Gaber. In 1959, she made her debut at the Sanremo Music Festival, establishing herself among the country’s most popular performers with hits like “Nessuno,” “Per tutta la vita,” “Patatina,” and “Quando viene la sera.”

Inventing the Television Cooking Show

By the late 1970s, television producer and host Paolo Limiti recognized her warm public appeal and cast her to bring cooking into domestic television programming before culinary shows became a mainstream television staple.

That transition began with “Telemenù” on Telemontecarlo, followed by programs including “Sale, pepe e fantasia,” “A pranzo con Wilma,” “La spesa di Wilma,” and “Complimenti allo chef,” alongside several cookbooks, including “Siamo nati per soffriggere.”

Legacy in Kitchen Broadcasting

Remembered as the first lady of Italian kitchen television, De Angelis left an enduring mark on both the nation’s music and its culinary broadcasts.

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