«Many years later, facing the firing squad…». It is the incipit of One hundred years of solitudethe masterpiece of Gabriel García Márquezand it was precisely this question of literature that allowed Vittoria Licari to win one million euros Who Wants to Be a Millionaire – The Tournamentthe quiz hosted by Gerry Scotti on Channel 5.
A decisive answer, which arrived at the end of a path built calmly and methodically, which led the competitor to conquer the maximum prize money of the program. The victory was hailed as one of the most significant of the edition, also due to the profile of the protagonist.
Vittoria Licari is 69 years old, born and raised in Milan and is a classically trained musician. For years he taught at the Conservatory, today he is retired. A professional path linked to study and culture, which was also reflected in his way of approaching the game: attention to questions, logical reasoning and no impulsive answers.
In an interview with Corriere della SeraLicari said that the win will allow her to face with greater serenity a complex family situation. Her husband, much older than her, has been suffering from senile dementia for some years and is aphasic, and requires continuous assistance, 24 hours a day.
«It’s nice to have him at home, he’s a presence that gives me warmth», he explained, «but he needs constant assistance. Collaborators help us, and obviously this has a cost. So I found those resources that I didn’t have before.”
Another detail linked to the decisive answer is also striking: Vittoria Licari admitted that she had never read One hundred years of solitude. She arrived at the final question by reasoning and going by exclusion. «I had read The plague And Crime and punishmentI had seen the film Doctor Zhivagobut I absolutely didn’t know what García Márquez’s novel was about,” he said. “I got there through reasoning.”
Among the correct answers that marked his path in the quiz, there was also a question dedicated to Emilio Salgariconfirming a broad preparation, built over time and not linked to a single area of knowledge.
Vittoria Licari’s victory thus returns the image of a success that comes from culture, experience and the ability to think clearly, rather than by luck as happens in several other television quizzes.
A television result that crosses real life and which, behind the winning number, tells a story of responsibility, care and daily resilience.
