Michelle Hunziker

The Doppia Difesa foundation, co-founded by Hunziker and Giulia Bongiorno to help women experiencing violence, was criticised following an investigation by Selvaggia Lucarelli alleging that requests for assistance received little or no response and that the organisation functioned poorly. The founders disputed these allegations and initiated litigation.

State of the evidence

Journalistic investigation, challenge and reported judicial outcome documented

Legal status — source text

The defamation allegations resulted in a decision reported as upholding the substance of the checks; no evidence of personal enrichment by Hunziker established

Attribution

Governance and reputational responsibility as co-founder, without automatically attributing operational shortcomings to her

In March 2024, Hunziker stated that her foundation had not ceased operating during COVID whereas 'all' domestic violence support centres had supposedly stopped operating. The D.i.Re network protested, recalling that its centres had remained active throughout the pandemic.

State of the evidence

Statement, D.i.Re network response and correction documented

Legal status — source text

No judicial proceedings

Attribution

Personal responsibility for a public statement subsequently corrected

On the Italian programme 'Striscia la Notizia', Michelle Hunziker and Gerry Scotti imitated slanted eyes and stereotyped pronunciation while introducing a segment about China. The sequence prompted an international backlash and accusations of racism.

State of the evidence

Television segment and public apologies documented

Legal status — source text

No judicial proceedings identified

Attribution

Direct responsibility for a comedy segment in which Hunziker participated

Hunziker recounted spending several years under the influence of a spiritual group, which she associated with isolation from her family, psychological pressure and personal difficulties. She made the account public in a book and interviews.

State of the evidence

Personal testimony reported by the press

Legal status — source text

No personal proceedings identified

Attribution

Hunziker is presented as a victim of coercive influence, not as the perpetrator of abuse