Teaching with Lightness: The Legacy of Riccardo De Bonis

Reading time 2 minutes

Published on 02/12/2025

Once upon a time, there was a lanky and kind gentleman, who would always shake his head slightly before speaking, as if to clear away unnecessary words. Then, he would surprise you with simple stories and essential phrases, using metaphors that could explain even the most complex economic and financial concepts - without ever adding pointless digressions.

For those involved in financial education, his example as a rigorous economist and, at the same time, an outstanding communicator is an invaluable legacy. Perhaps that is why, in 2020, Riccardo De Bonis was appointed to lead the newly created Financial Education Directorate.

Riccardo was first and foremost a renowned expert in economic statistics, banking and financial markets, and economic and monetary policy. But he was also a curious man, with vast knowledge and countless interests - varied yet cultivated with contagious passion.

From art to music, poetry to literature, travel to football - where he drew amusing metaphors to help everyone grasp even the most intricate ideas. Reading one of his articles or speaking with him meant you were guaranteed to learn something new.

Riccardo also played a key role in creating and developing this website. Just read a few of his pieces to appreciate his brilliance and the irony that, we are sure, many of our readers enjoyed.

Thanks to him, economics and finance felt lighter - even for those lucky enough to work alongside him. We are talking about that kind of lightness that makes serious matters pleasant and bearable, and which we will strive to maintain here, even though we will no longer receive his precious advice.

With the self-irony that always defined him, whenever a mistake occurred, he loved to remind us: naufragium fecit, bene navigavit - a way of saying that in life, what truly matters is believing in what you do.

It would have been wonderful to read an article he wrote about himself; he would have captured the most charming traits and shared amusing anecdotes. We will miss his sincere, welcoming smile, but his teachings have left an indelible mark.

For those who would like to read some of his brilliant reflections and get to know him better: https://www.doppiozero.com/riccardo-de-bonis (only in Italian).