Italian designer Giorgio Armani has died at the age of 91. The king of fashion has died at his home. The legend was the founder of the Armani company and one of the richest people in Italy.

"With infinite sorrow, Armani Group announces the passing of its creator, founder and tireless leader - Giorgio Armani," the company said in a statement.

► Armani's Life

He was born in Piacenza, Italy on July 11, 1934, to Ugo Armani (an accountant in a transport company) and Maria Raimondi. He has an older brother, Sergio, and a younger sister, Rosanna. While studying at the Liceo Scientifico Leonardo da Vinci in Milan, Armani dreamed of a career in medicine, especially after reading Archibald Cronin's novel The Citadel.

He enrolled in medicine at the University of Milan, but in 1953, after three years of study, he interrupted and joined the army. After serving for two years, he abandoned his studies altogether and in 1957 found a job as an assistant and buyer at"La Rinascente" in Milan - then one of the most chic department stores in Europe. Because of his medical training, he was assigned to the Military Hospital in Verona, thanks to which he attended performances at the Arena di Verona.

He began creating new models in 1970, which were sold in several fashion houses in Italy. In 1974, his first collection was presented, which was a great success. Real fame came to him in 1975.

Armani is one of the world's leading fashion designers, dictating fashion for several generations. In addition to clothing, his collections include accessories, watches, and jewelry.

He was also among the first designers to ban models with a body mass index (BMI) under 18 after the death of model Ana Carolina Reston in 2006 due to anorexia nervosa.

Armani had a relationship with his business partner, architect Sergio Galeotti, from 1975 until Galeotti's death in 1985.