Corrado Augias
An urbane Italian intellectual who turned television into a sophisticated salon, dissecting history and society for millions of viewers.
Born 1935 (age 91)·Italian journalist, writer and television presenter·Birthday: January 26·The Silent Generation
Biography
Corrado Augias has been a defining voice in Italian public discourse for decades, a journalist whose erudition feels conversational rather than intimidating. Beginning his career in newspapers, he brought a writer's depth to political reporting and cultural criticism. His true breakthrough came on television, where he hosted programs like 'Telefono giallo' and the long-running 'Le storie,' transforming the medium into a forum for investigative journalism, historical inquiry, and literary discussion. His tenure in the European Parliament was a brief, pragmatic interlude in a life dedicated to communication. Augias is also a successful novelist and essayist, authoring books that explore the hidden histories of cities like Rome, Paris, and New York, blending meticulous research with narrative flair. He represents a rare breed: a public intellectual who mastered both the printed page and the broadcast screen, making complex ideas accessible without diluting them.
The Silent Generation
1928–1945
Born between the Depression and the end of WWII. Too young to fight, old enough to remember. They became the conformist middle managers of the 1950s — and the civil rights leaders who quietly dismantled Jim Crow.
Corrado was born in 1935, placing them squarely in The Silent Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Corrado Was Born
The biggest hits of 1935
#1 Movie
Mutiny on the Bounty
Best Picture
Mutiny on the Bounty
Corrado's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1935Born
Social Security Act signed into law
Gas: $0.19/galHome: $3,450President: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Cheek to Cheek" — Fred AstaireBest Picture: Mutiny on the Bounty
1940Started school
The Blitz: Germany bombs London
Gas: $0.18/galHome: $2,938Min wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"I'll Never Smile Again" — Tommy DorseyBest Picture: Rebecca
1948Became a teenager
Israel declares independence; Berlin Blockade begins
Gas: $0.26/galHome: $7,450Min wage: $0.40/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Twelfth Street Rag" — Pee Wee HuntBest Picture: Hamlet
1951Could drive
First color TV broadcast in the US
Gas: $0.27/galHome: $7,925Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Too Young" — Nat King ColeBest Picture: An American in Paris
1953Could vote
DNA structure discovered by Watson and Crick
Gas: $0.27/galHome: $8,750Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"Song from Moulin Rouge" — Percy FaithBest Picture: From Here to Eternity
1956Turned 21
Elvis Presley appears on The Ed Sullivan Show
Gas: $0.30/galHome: $10,050Min wage: $1.00/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"Heartbreak Hotel" — Elvis PresleyBest Picture: Around the World in 80 Days
1965Turned 30
US sends combat troops to Vietnam
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $13,600Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" — The Rolling StonesBest Picture: The Sound of Music
1975Turned 40
Fall of Saigon ends the Vietnam War
Gas: $0.57/galHome: $27,600Min wage: $2.10/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"Love Will Keep Us Together" — Captain & TennilleBest Picture: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
1985Turned 50
Live Aid concerts raise money for Ethiopian famine
Gas: $1.12/galHome: $62,900Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Careless Whisper" — Wham!Best Picture: Out of Africa
1995Turned 60
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
2005Turned 70
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2015Turned 80
Paris climate agreement; same-sex marriage legalized in the US
Gas: $2.43/galHome: $171,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno MarsBest Picture: Spotlight
2026Age 91 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Created and hosted influential cultural TV programs like 'Le storie' on Italian national broadcaster RAI.
- Served as a Member of the European Parliament from 1994 to 1999.
- Authored a series of popular books exploring the 'secrets' and history of major world cities.
- Had a long career as a columnist and editor for major Italian newspapers including La Repubblica.
Did You Know?
He is the father of journalist and writer Francesca Augias.
He worked as a foreign correspondent from cities including Paris and New York.
He initially studied law before turning to journalism.
His novel 'Il fazzoletto azzurro' was adapted into a film.
“A fact is not an opinion; our duty is to separate the two with clarity.”
