Born François-Joseph-Marie Sportorno in Ajaccio Corsica in 1874. In 1900 moves to 23 place Vendome, Paris. 1904 adopts variation of his mother's name Coti, into Coty to sound more Parisian chic. Starts The House of Coty in 1905 in a two-roomed perfume shop. Launched over 50 fragrances from 1905 till his death in 1934.