Carlo Azeglio Ciampi was born on December 9, 1920 in Livorno, Italy.  He is married and has one daughter and one son. 

He graduated from the University of Pisa (one of Italy's most prestigious schools) with a B.A., LLB. and got his Diploma from the Scuola Normale Superiore of Pisa 

He served in the Italian Army from 1941 to 1944 and was awarded the Military Cross. 

He joined the Bank of Italy in 1946 where he worked in various branches carrying out administrative duties and inspections at commercial banks until 1960. 

Between 1960 and 1970 he held positions as Economist and Head of the Research Department.  He became the Bank's Secretary General in 1973 and was appointed Deputy Director General in 1976. In 1978 he was appointed to the position of Director General and Deputy Chairman of the "Ufficio Italiano dei Cambi" (Italy's Exchange). 

Ciampi was Governor of the Bank of Italy and Chairman of the Ufficio Italiano dei Cambi from 1979 to 1993. He became the Governor for Italy in IBRD, IDA, IFC, ADB and a member of the Group of Ten. He subsequently was elected to the Board of Directors of the Bank for International Settlements and to the Board of Directors of the "Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche" (Italy's National Research Council).

From 1993 to 1994 he was President of the Italian Council of Ministers (Prime Minister).

From 1994 to 1996 he was appointed to the position of Vice President of the Bank for International Settlements. From
1995 to 1996 he was Chairman of the European Union's (EU) Competitiveness Advisory Group. He concurrently held the position of President of the  "Istituo per l'Enciolopedia Treccani".

Other memberships and honors included: Member of the "Societa degli Economisti"; Knight of the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic; Knight of the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany; Commandeur de la Legion d'Honneur; Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun; Honorary Governor of the Bank of Italy (1933 -). 

He was elected President of the Italian Republic in June of 1999.