Clara Petacci (Claretta Petacci) (28 February 1912 - 28 April 1945) was a young Roman girl from an upper-class family who became Benito Mussolini's mistress. She was twenty-nine years his junior.

During Mussolini's capture by partisans in April 1945 it is said that Petacci was offered the opportunity to escape, but she firmly refused and instead tried to protect Mussolini with her body. The Duce was then shot immediately after her. On the following day, 29 April 1945, at the Piazzale Loreto in Milan, Mussolini and Petacci's bodies, along with four others, were hanged upside down at an Esso gas station and photographed as a crowd vented their rage upon them.

Petacci is apparently respectfully considered in Italy; without reference to politics, but only as a woman in love who did not abandon him in times of trouble.

See also

• Margherita Sarfatti for one of Mussolini's earlier mistresses

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