In brief
Mauro Morandi, affectionately dubbed Italy's Robinson Crusoe, has died at the age of 85 from a brain hemorrhage in Modena, Italy. Morandi spent 32 years living on the uninhabited Budelli Island, situated off Sardinia’s northern coast, having developed a deep bond with the island since his arrival in 1989. His desire for solitude led to a unique way of life and generated interest through books, songs, and documentaries, particularly during the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite his love for Budelli, he was ultimately evicted in 2021, a decision that weighed heavily on him. His reflections on isolation prompted much discussion, as he often noted the importance of self-examination and contemplation.
Mauro Morandi, whose 32-year sojourn on an uninhabited Mediterranean island led to his being known as Italy’s Robinson Crusoe, died on Jan. 3 in Modena, Italy. He was 85. The cause was a brain hemorrhage, said Antonio Rinaldis, who wrote a 2023 book with Mr. Morandi about his life on the island. Unlike Daniel Defoe’s hero, who was shipwrecked and fervently hoped to be rescued, Mr. Morandi chose his life of solitude. He said he had fallen in love at first sight with Budelli, a pristine, undeveloped island off the northern tip of Sardinia. He arrived in 1989, somewhat by chance, he said in interviews. He left — against his will — in 2021, writing on social media that he was tired of “fighting against those who want to send me away.” Mr. Morandi’s singular choice to live in solitude spawned at least two books, at least one song, short documentaries, and countless interviews. As the world turned inward during the coronavirus pandemic, reporters sought Mr. Morandi’s insights on isolation. “I read a lot, and think,” he told CNN in 2020. “I think many people are scared of reading because if they do, they’ll start meditating and thinking about stuff, and that can be dangerous. If you start seeing things under a different light and be critical, you could end up seeing what a miserable life you lead.”
