Nutella’s co-creator has died at age 97 -.

Francesco Rivella, the chemist who helped Michele Ferrero develop chocolates in addition to the world-famous spread Nutella, has died at the age of 97. Although his death was only recently confirmed, he passed away on Feb. 14.

According to Lettera 43, shortly after Rivella joined the Ferrero company in the 1950s, he and Michele Ferrero began scouring northern Europe to study chocolates, creams and more from the region with the intention of surpassing them. It is this journey that led him to co-create Nutella.

Rivella retired in 1993 and has since been a member of the Alba Rotary Club and past president of the Order of Chemists. In addition to Nutella, Rivella also helped create Tic Tac, Kinder Chocolate and Ferrero Rocher.