A century ago, Violet Gibson almost single-handedly altered the course of history when she emerged from a crowd in Rome and fired a shot at the Italian fascist dictator, Benito Mussolini.
The bullet merely grazed the Italian leader’s nose, and as Violet attempted to fire a second shot, her weapon jammed. She was subsequently saved from the enraged mob by police, an intervention necessary “because Mussolini’s supporters might have killed her,” explained Philippa Gibson, Violet’s great-niece.
Following the attempt, Violet was imprisoned in Italy before being deported to the United Kingdom, where she remained institutionalized at a psychiatric facility in Northampton until her death in 1956. Among the four assassination attempts made against Il Duce (The Leader)—as Benito Mussolini was known—Violet Gibson’s effort came closest to success, marking a pivotal moment in the historical record.
Philippa, who resides in Llangrannog, Ceredigion, Wales, shared insights into her great-aunt’s background, revealing that Violet hailed from an exceptionally wealthy and politically influential family. Her father, an Anglo-Irish nobleman, was Baron Ashbourne, who once held the prestigious position of Lord Chancellor of Ireland, the highest legal office in the country at the time.
According to Philippa, Violet experienced “a childhood typical for someone of her age and status,” yet she later rebelled against her family’s expectations by converting to Catholicism and embracing a socialist ideology.
Philippa noted, “The family was far from pleased, but they maintained a softer approach towards Violet, partly because… she suffered from mental health issues, but also because she was a highly intelligent woman.” Violet eventually moved to Italy, where she immersed herself in the language and undertook “much promising work,” her great-niece added, describing it as a period when “the wealthy would provide alms to the destitute.”
However, Violet’s life was also marked by severe periods of mental instability. She experienced a mental breakdown following the sudden death of her fiancé, faced imprisonment for a knife attack, and had previously attempted to end her own life, Philippa clarified.
Regarding the motive behind the assassination attempt on Mussolini, Philippa explained, “I believe she witnessed Mussolini’s fascism unfolding, with its immense cruelty and violence. The socialist leader [Giacomo Matteotti] had been murdered by fascist thugs, and that was one of the factors that drove her to act.” She further elaborated, “So, it was partly politically motivated and partly faith-motivated—to sacrifice herself for an important cause.”
On April 7, 1926, just three years after Mussolini ascended to power, Violet Gibson made her audacious assassination attempt. Philippa detailed the moment: “She was only 50 at the time, but she appeared much older, and no one paid attention to a small grandmother drawing a pistol so close to him. They were only a few meters apart, but apparently, Mussolini turned his head, and the bullet merely grazed his nose.”
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Philippa revealed that both the British government and Violet’s family corresponded with Mussolini after the attack, expressing their gratitude and relief at his survival. In their joint letters, they informed him of Violet’s mental instability.
“Mussolini also highlighted that [mental instability] because he didn’t want it to appear that a political opponent could get so close to him. There were several assassination attempts against him, and he managed to survive all of them,” Philippa explained. “All of that created the perception that he was invincible, protected by God, had a mission, and that was his purpose… so I think [the assassination attempt] actually backfired, becoming counterproductive.” Mussolini himself was eventually executed after being captured by Italian partisan forces in 1945, while attempting to flee Allied advances.
The extraordinary life of Violet Gibson has since inspired a song, books, a stage play, a radio documentary, and a 2021 film titled Violet Gibson: the Irish woman who shot Mussolini. In 2022, a commemorative plaque honoring Violet was unveiled in Dublin.
Philippa emphasizes that while she admires her great-aunt, she does not endorse political violence. “I certainly would not support any form of political violence; that is not the answer,” she stated. “However, I feel that it was Violet’s deep convictions that drove her to do what she did. So, I admire her courage, her willingness to sacrifice herself for what she believed in, but I would not condone political assassination attempts in any form.”
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