Benito Umberto Napoleone Mussolini was born on July 29, 1883 in the small town of Breztini. His father, Umberto Mussolini (1853 - 1915) was an navy officer, and his mother, Bella Fettani (1865 - 1885) was a milanese showdancer. His mother died when he was young and since his father was a serving navy officer Benito was brought up by a nanny in central Milan. In 1899 Benito joined the fledgling Socialist Union of Italy, without the knowledge of his family. In 1900 Benito's education finished and he was enrolled in the navy academy at messina by his father (and against Benito's wishes).