Sclavi was born in Canneto Pavese, Italy on October 4, 1923.

[1][2] Prior to entering politics he was a building contractor who operated a construction company in Stradella, Lombardy which he founded in 1947.

[3][4] Sclavi was elected to the Italian Senate during legislature IX of Italy from the region of Lombardy for the Italian Democratic Socialist Party.

[1][5] Following the beginning of the Second Republic, he would reach out to Forza Italia politician Gian Carlo Abelli which blossomed into a long-lasting friendship.

[6] He died on August 21, 2018, leaving his construction company in the hands of his children.