Genealogy Researcher Uncovers Luigi's Real-Life Inspiration in Super Mario History
In a surprising twist for gaming enthusiasts, a recent genealogical investigation has revealed that the name of Super Mario's brother, Luigi, may have been inspired by the real-life father of Mario Arnold Segale, the Washington state businessman who famously lent his name to Nintendo's iconic plumber. Elisabeth Zetland, a senior researcher at MyHeritage, made this discovery while exploring Segale's family background, timed with the release of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie in early April.
The Coincidence That Shaped Gaming Lore
For decades, it has been widely known that Nintendo based the character Super Mario on Mario Segale, their landlord in Tukwila, Washington, during the 1980s. Shigeru Miyamoto, the creator of Super Mario, confirmed this in 2015, noting that Segale's appearance and name influenced the design. However, the origin of Luigi's name remained shrouded in mystery until Zetland's research brought new light to the story.
According to Zetland, Luigi Maria Segale was born in 1886 in Favale di Malvaro, Italy, and immigrated to the United States in 1909 with his brother Giuseppe. He later anglicized his name to Louis and served in the U.S. military during World War I before becoming a successful farmer in Washington. Census records show that by 1940, Luigi and his wife Rina had a son named Mario, who would grow up to inspire one of the most beloved video game characters of all time.
Unraveling the Mystery Behind Luigi's Name
Previously, theories about Luigi's name included suggestions that it was chosen because it rhymes with the Japanese word for "similar" or that it came from a local pizza parlor called Mario & Luigi's. Zetland's findings, however, point to a more personal connection: the real Mario Segale had a father named Luigi, making it a potential, albeit coincidental, inspiration for the character.
Zetland emphasized in an interview that this appears to be "just a coincidence," but one that holds significant weight in the annals of video game history. She compiled her discoveries into a detailed 13-page report, drawing from birth, marriage, census, immigration, and military records to paint a vivid picture of the Segale family's journey from Italy to American prosperity.
The Segale Family Legacy and Its Impact on Pop Culture
The Segale family's story is a testament to the immigrant experience in the 20th century. Luigi and his family achieved financial stability through farming, growing produce like tomatoes and lettuce, and selling them in Seattle markets. Social columns from La Gazzetta Italiana even documented Mario's 12th birthday celebration in 1946, complete with Ligurian-style cuisine and accordion music, symbolizing their cultural roots and newfound success.
Mario Segale went on to build a thriving career in construction and real estate, with Nintendo as one of his tenants. The character Super Mario was reportedly named after him during a rent dispute, as detailed in David Sheff's book Game Over: How Nintendo Conquered the World. Despite this, Segale was known to shy away from the fame, once quipping to the Seattle Times in 1993 that he was "still waiting for my royalty checks."
Luigi Segale passed away in 1981, five years before Luigi made his debut in Super Mario Bros. on the Nintendo Entertainment System. His thoughts on sharing a name with a video game character remain unknown, but Zetland's research adds a poignant layer to the narrative, describing it as "a legacy of Italian dreams and American opportunity."
This discovery not only enriches the lore behind one of gaming's most famous duos but also highlights the unexpected ways in which real-life stories can influence creative works. As the Super Mario franchise continues to captivate audiences worldwide, the tale of the Segale family serves as a reminder of the human connections that often lie behind our favorite cultural icons.
