born March 18, 1903, Livorno, Italy
died Jan. 11, 1944, Verona
Italian politician.
He took part in the fascists' March on Rome and later entered the diplomatic corps. After marrying Benito Mussolini 's daughter Edda in 1930, he became minister of foreign affairs (1936) and initiated the Rome-Berlin Axis that helped bring Italy into World War II. After several Axis defeats in 1942, he advocated a separate peace with the Allies. Mussolini dismissed his cabinet (1943), but Ciano and other leading fascists forced Mussolini's resignation. Later, on Mussolini's orders, Ciano was tried for treason and executed.