Marisa Maretti, affectionately known as “the first lady of business aviation,” died on May 18 at the age of 79. Maretti’s groundbreaking contributions to the aviation sector set her apart as a notable figure, particularly as the first European woman to establish a business jet dealership. Born in 1945 in Cremona, Italy, she spent the last 32 years of her life in Monaco, leaving behind a legacy marked by nearly 200 business jet transactions.
Maretti’s illustrious career took flight at Alico, a dealer and authorized service station for Cessna pistons, where her innate passion and sharp business acumen quickly became apparent. In the 1970s, she leveraged her expertise to launch her own venture, Business Aviation Marketing, based in Milan. Under her leadership, the company saw the sale of over 150 new and used Cessna Citations, cementing its reputation in the industry.
Her success led to her appointment as the Cessna Citation-authorized sales representative for Italy, Monaco, and the Italian-speaking region of Switzerland—a role she excelled in for over 35 years. Maretti’s ability to navigate complex sales and her deep understanding of the market dynamics made her a respected and influential figure in the business aviation community, contributing significantly to its growth and sophistication.