Rosa Maltoni (married Mussolini; 22 April 1858 – 19 February 1905)[1] was the mother of Italian Fascist founder and leader Benito Mussolini.

Maltoni was a nominal Catholic schoolteacher who married the socialist Alessandro Mussolini against the wishes of her father.

[2] After Benito, Rosa had three more children, Arnaldo, Laura, and Edvige.

[1] Mussolini was reportedly very attached to his mother, and during the Fascist period, Rosa came to represent the ideal Italian woman.

[3][4][5][6] On June 17, 1930, a ceremony was held to honor her as a "great educator and glorious mother.