Our history

From 1907 until today, we have been faithful to our vocation as a publishing house for all Italians, disseminating the pleasure of reading and bearing witness to the Country's evolution.

The phases of our history highlight growth of the company on the one hand, from a small printing company in the Lombardy countryside to an international corporation, and the innovations underlying its success on the other.

1907

Arnoldo Mondadori begins to work in the editorial business

1912

Arnoldo Mondadori publishes his first book.

1915

Mondadori publishes magazines for the troops on the front line.

1919

Arnoldo Mondadori transfers the head offices to Milan.

1922

Launch of Enciclopedia dei Ragazzi Mondadori.

1926

Mondadori acquires the rights to some of the Italy's greatest writers.

1929

Launch of Gialli Mondadori.

1933

Mondadori launches the Medusa series.

1935

Arnoldo Mondadori signs his first agreement with Walt Disney.

1937

Launch of the fiction series Omnibus.

1939

Launch of Tempo, the first news magazine.

1942

During World War II, the head offices are moved to Arona.

1948

Mondadori publishes the Biblioteca Moderna Mondadori.

1950

Mondadori publishes Epoca.

1951

Mondadori opens sales offices around the world.

Cover of the first novel from the book series I Romanzi di Urania: The Sands of Mars by Arthur Clarke. Italy, 10th October 1952 Image licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

1952

Launch of Urania, the first collection of science fiction novels.

1954

First step in retailing with the bookshop chain Mondadori per Voi.

1960

Mondadori creates the Club degli Editori.

1962

Mondadori launches Panorama.

1965

The launch of the Oscar series, the first low-cost paperbacks.

1969

Mondadori launches the Meridiani series for the great classics.

1971

Arnoldo Mondadori dies and is replaced by his son Giorgio.

1975

Mondadori opens its new corporate head offices in Segrate.

1976

Espresso and Mondadori launch La Repubblica.

1981

Mondadori enters the TV market with Retequattro channel.

1988

Mondadori acquires Ediciones Grijalbo.

1989

A period of instability surrounding the Group's shareholding structure begins.

1991

Leonardo Mondadori is named chairman of the publishing company.

1994

Mondadori publishes the book of Pope John Paul II.

1995

The Miti Mondadori series of book is launched.

1996

Mondadori promotes the "From Monet to Picasso" exhibition.

1997

The basis for Mondadori's future expansion is laid.

1998

Mondadori enters franchising market with the Gulliver chain.

2000

The JV Mondadori Rodale, Bol and ACI Mondadori are launched.

2001

Mondadori launches magazines targeting the car market.

2002

Chairman Leonardo Mondadori dies. He is replaced by Marina Berlusconi.

2004

Dan Brown's the Da Vinci Code becomes the yearly best-seller.

2005

Mondadori enters the radio market.

2007

Mondadori's 100th anniversary.

2008

Paolo Giordano's La Solitudine dei Numeri Primi is published.

2009

Mondadori launches the French edition of the weekly Grazia.

2010

Mondadori enters the ebook market with three separate initiatives.

2011

Mondadori’s ebook strategy accelerates

2012

Mondadori introduces in Italy Kobo’s eReader devices

2013

The Grazia International Network continues to expand

2014

Mondadori Libri S.p.A., a newco devoted to book publishing

2015

Mondadori focuses on its core businesses

2016

A breakthrough year