Sri Lanka, Feb. 18 -- Francesco Rivella, an Italian chemist known as the 'father of Nutella' for his crucial role in creating the iconic chocolate and hazelnut spread, passed away on Friday, February 14, 2025, at the age of 97.

Born in Barbaresco, Piedmont, Northern Italy, Rivella earned a degree in bromatological chemistry from Turin before joining Ferrero in 1952 at the age of 25. He worked in the company's chemistry room, where some of its most famous products, including Nutella, Kinder, and Ferrero Rocher, were developed. Rivella became a senior manager and right-hand man to Ferrero's founder, Michele Ferrero.

Journalist Gigi Padovani, in his book Mondo Nutella, highlighted the close collaboration between Rivella and Ferrero, with t...