Matteo Strukul
An Italian author who resurrects the violent, opulent drama of the Renaissance through bestselling historical thrillers.
Born 1973 (age 53)·Italian writer·Birthday: September 8·Generation X
Biography
Matteo Strukul has carved a niche as a master of the Italian historical thriller, specializing in the tumultuous era of the Medici dynasty. Based in Padua, he blends meticulous research with the pacing of a modern crime novelist, bringing to life the political scheming, artistic fervor, and brutal power struggles of 15th-century Florence. His 'Medici' series has captivated readers in Italy, turning complex history into page-turning narratives centered on figures like Cosimo de' Medici and Lorenzo the Magnificent. Beyond novels, his work as a journalist and critic informs his sharp, accessible prose. Strukul doesn't just recount history; he dramatizes it, making the distant past feel immediate and visceral for a contemporary audience, and in doing so, has helped renew popular interest in Italy's rich historical tapestry.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Matteo was born in 1973, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Matteo Was Born
The biggest hits of 1973
#1 Movie
The Exorcist
Best Picture
The Sting
#1 TV Show
All in the Family
Matteo's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1973Born
US withdraws from Vietnam; Roe v. Wade decided
Gas: $0.39/galHome: $22,100Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree" — Tony Orlando & DawnBest Picture: The Sting
1978Started school
First test-tube baby born
Gas: $0.63/galHome: $35,300Min wage: $2.65/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Shadow Dancing" — Andy GibbBest Picture: The Deer Hunter
1986Became a teenager
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1989Could drive
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1991Could vote
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1994Turned 21
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2003Turned 30
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2013Turned 40
Edward Snowden reveals NSA surveillance programs
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $152,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Thrift Shop" — Macklemore & Ryan LewisBest Picture: 12 Years a Slave
2023Turned 50
ChatGPT goes mainstream; Israel-Hamas war begins
Gas: $3.52/galHome: $361,600Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Flowers" — Miley CyrusBest Picture: Oppenheimer
2026Age 53 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Author of the bestselling 'I Medici' series of historical novels, which have been translated into multiple languages.
- His novel 'La ballata di Mila' won the Premio Settembrini award.
- Co-founded the literary blog 'Il Mangialibri' (The Book Eater).
Did You Know?
He holds a degree in Law from the University of Padua.
He is a passionate advocate for Italian genre fiction, often participating in literary festivals and conferences.
In addition to historical fiction, he has also written noir and crime novels.
“The Medici palace walls held more secrets than any church confessional.”
