Emerson Fittipaldi

Fittipaldi in 2012, photo by prphotos.com

Place of Birth: São Paulo, Brazil

Date of Birth: 12 December, 1946

Ethnicity:
*father – Italian
*mother – Polish, Russian

Emerson Fittipaldi is a Brazilian racing driver. He has won both the Formula One World Championship and the Indianapolis 500 twice.

His father, Wilson Fittipaldi, Sr., was born in Santo André, São Paulo, to Italian parents from Trecchina, province of Potenza, Basilicata, who moved to Brazil in the early 1900s. His mother, Józefa “Juzy” Wojciechowska, was born in Saint Petersburg, Russia, and is of Polish and Russian descent. Emerson speaks fluent Portuguese, Italian, English, Spanish, and French.

Emerson’s brother was Formula One driver and team owner Wilson Fittipaldi Júnior and his nephew is race car driver Christian Fittipaldi. He is married to economist Rossana Fanucchi. Emerson has three children with his former wife Maria Helena; two children with his former wife Teresa; and two children with Rossana. His grandchildren, Pietro Fittipaldi and Enzo Fittipaldi, are also race car drivers.

Emerson was named after American author and philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Emerson’s paternal grandfather was named Pasquale/Paschoal Fittipaldi.

Emerson’s paternal grandmother was named Henriqueta.

Emerson’s maternal grandfather was named Ivan Wojciechowski.

Emerson has said that his maternal grandmother was a Russian woman named Maria.

Sources: http://m.viagem.uol.com.br (in Portuguese)
http://motor-chicche.blogspot.com.br (in Italian)