Initially-tapped by his brother Gianni to take over Fiat, a "coup" by banker Enrico Cuccia, who "installed" Cesare Romiti, scuttled those plans. After Romiti was ousted, Gianni announced his plan to groom Umberto's son, Giovanni, to take over Fiat. Tragically, Giovanni died in 1997 before he could take the helm. Umberto's twin sons, Giovanni's brothers, died shortly after birth.