Major-General Giorgio Blais, the Italian hero who captivated the nation with his remarkable solo walk across Italy in 2000, passed away on August 24, 2026, at the age of 91. Born in Turin on April 14, 1935, Blais will be remembered for his incredible journey that took him 1,700 kilometers from Rocciamelone in Piedmont to the side of Mount Etna. Giorgio Blais spent his career serving in the Italian Army, rising to the rank of major-general.
During his tenure, he was associated with several brigades, including the Taurinense, Cadore, Orobica, and Julia brigades, as well as holding key positions in central offices in Rome. Blais also spent about nine years on international missions in the Balkans, a region where he claimed to have particular expertise.