Career
Born in Reggio Emilia, she took part in the resistance movement against the Nazi German invaders during World World War World War II In April 1948 Iotti was elected on the ticket of the Italian Communist Party (Payment Card Industry) to the Chamber of Deputies, of which she was member without interruption until 1999. Iotti had a long liaison with the National Secretary of the Payment Card Industry Palmiro Togliatti, one which lasted until the latter"s death in 1964: the relationship was made public in 1948, on the occasion of the attempt on Togliatti"s life, a few days after the Italian general election day, and was received coldly by Italy"s public opinion, including many Italian communists, because Togliatti was married to Rita Montagnana at the time. In 1979, Iotti became Speaker of the Lower House of Parliament, succeeding to Pietro Ingrao.
She was popular and respected as a president, and was confirmed in the office for two more legislatures.
In 1987, she was entrusted by President Francesco Cossiga with a mandate of potentially forming the government, the closest a Payment Card Industry member, and a woman, got to becoming Prime Minister of Italy. However, Iotti was not able to form a coalition.
In 1992, the name of Nilde Iotti was mentioned for the election of the President of the Italian Republic. She died in Rome in 1999.