During a trip to Sicily this week, First Lady Jill Biden visited Gesso, a small village in the island’s northeast, to trace her family’s Italian roots.
Accompanied by her daughter Ashley, Dr. Biden explored the hometown of her great-grandparents, Gaetano and Concetta Giacoppo, who emigrated to the United States more than a century ago.
In a ceremony hosted by Messina Mayor Federico Basile, the First Lady reflected on her ancestors’ lives in the village, visiting the church where her great-grandmother was baptized in 1865.
“More than 100 years ago, my great-grandparents walked these narrow streets, spoke with their neighbors, and watched the stars come out at night,” Biden said.
“I saved the best for last” – Jill Biden chose to visit her ancestral Italian hometown, Gesso in Sicily, on her last trip as First Lady.
🇮🇹❤️🇺🇸 Benvenuta! Grazie @FLOTUS for being a great champion of Italy-US relations! pic.twitter.com/lXZNoQK8SW— Italy in US (@ItalyinUS) December 4, 2024
Biden’s grandfather, Domenico Giacoppo, was 2 years old in 1900 when he and his parents left Sicily for a new life in America.
The family name was Anglicized at Ellis Island to Jacobs and the immigrants settled in New Jersey, where Domenico eventually worked as a deliveryman at a small furniture store.
“As first lady, I’ve brought the vibrant Italian American community together to celebrate our culture and sustain our traditions. I’ve even had the opportunity to serve gnocchi and braciole in the White House!”
In October, Biden hosted an Italian American leadership reception at the White House, which was co-organized by ISDA National President Basil Russo. At Russo’s invitation, Biden also delivered a heritage address at the ISDA’s annual banquet in downtown Pittsburgh this past July.
Make a Pledge and join Italian Sons and Daughters of America today.
