The Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity was founded as a national order by the first President of the Italian Republic, Enrico De Nicola, in 1947, to recognise civilian and military expatriates or foreigners who made an outstanding contribution to the reconstruction of Italy after World War II. In 2011, the order was reformed as the Order of the Star of Italy by the 11th President, Giorgio Napolitano. The emphasis of the reformed award was shifted from post-war reconstruction to the preservation and promotion of national prestige abroad, promoting friendly relations and co-operation with other countries and ties with Italy.

Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity (1947–2011)

The insignia, modified in 2001, bore the inscription Solidarietà Italiana encircling a depiction of the Good Samaritan. The order was bestowed by decree of the President of the Republic, head of the order, on the recommendation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The three degrees with corresponding ribbons were as follows: The Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity was worn as follows:

Recipients