A man known as Italy’s Robinson Crusoe who lived alone on an idyllic island for 32 years following a shipwreck has died.
Mauro Morandi, who died on January 3 aged 85, lived as a hermit on the Isle of Budelli near Sardinia for three decades after he washed up on its pink beach Spiaggia Rosa in 1989 when his catamaran’s engine failed while sailing to the south Pacific.
The island’s previous caretaker was on the verge of retirement when Morandi arrived so he abandoned his sailing plans, sold his boat and took over the role, ditching his job as a PE teacher.Â
His life in solitude earned him the nickname as Italy’s Robinson Crusoe.
But in 2016, the Italian government made the island part of a national park and tried to evict Morandi to turn the island into a hub for environmental education.Â
Morandi fought the eviction for five years and was even supported by an online petition signed by thousands of people demanding for the government to let Morandi stay.
In 2021, Morandi gave in and moved to a small flat with just one bedroom on the nearby island of La Maddalena, where he suddenly had people nearby, something he said he later cherished.
‘I have given up the fight. After 32 years here, I feel very sad to leave. They told me they need to do work on my house and this time it seems to be for real,’ He told the Guardian at the time.
Mauro Morandi, who died on January 3 aged 85, lived as a hermit on the Isle of Budelli near Sardinia for three decades
He washed up on the island’s pink beach Spiaggia Rosa in 1989 when his catamaran’s engine failed while sailing to the south Pacific
The hermit was originally from Modena in central Italy but had for years guarded Budelli, cleared its paths, swept its beaches and taught day-trippers about the environment
‘I’ll be living in the outskirts of the main town, so will just go there for shopping and the rest of the time keep myself to myself. My life won’t change too much, I’ll still see the sea.’Â
The hermit was originally from Modena in central Italy but had for years guarded Budelli, cleared its paths, swept its beaches and taught day-trippers about the environment.
Morandi, who had become popular online posting photos and videos from the desert island, attracted thousands of signatures on petitions trying to keep him on the island when the Italian government’s eviction plans were revealed.Â
His role first came under threat when the private company that owned the island went bankrupt and put the island up for sale in 2013.
It was originally going to be sold to New Zealand businessman Michael Harte who pledged to keep on Morandi as the island’s caretaker.
But the Italian government intervened and a Sardinian judge ruled in 2016 the island should be returned to the public.Â
The park’s then president Giuseppe Bonanno warned Morandi’s age and the standard of his home raised ‘several legal problems’ with him remaining on the island.
Bonanno added at the time: ‘Morandi symbolizes a man, enchanted by the elements, who decides to devote his life to contemplation and custody.
Morandi, who had become popular online posting photos and videos from the desert island, attracted thousands of signatures on petitions trying to keep him on the island when the Italian government’s eviction plans were revealed
His role first came under threat when the private company that owned the island went bankrupt and put the island up for sale in 2013
In the quiet winter months, Morandi spent his time editing his pictures and uploading them onto his Instagram, Facebook and Twitter pages
It was originally going to be sold to New Zealand businessman Michael Harte who pledged to keep on Morandi as the island’s caretaker. But the Italian government intervened and a Sardinian judge ruled in 2016 the island should be returned to the public
‘No one ignores [his] role in representing the historical memory of the place … But it’s hard to find a contractual arrangement for a person in his position.’
In the quiet winter months, Morandi spent his time editing his pictures and uploading them onto his Instagram, Facebook and Twitter pages.
‘The pictures represents my mood and state of mind,’ he told MailOnline in 2016.
But while the colder months could be lonely, he drew more than 1,300 tourists to the island in the summer.
