Dr Colombo was born in Busto Arsizio, Italy on June 17, 1950.⁷ After completing his schooling in Gallarate, he went on to the University of Milan School of Medicine in 1968, before attending the University of Parma Postgraduate School to study Cardiovascular Medicine. From a young age, he was a gifted student; and ultimately graduated Summa Cum Laude from his medical school.⁷

In 1967, Dr Colombo’s love of travel took him all the way to Iran in his Volkswagen (which he affectionately named “Maggiolino”).⁵ In 1986, he opened a private centre based on his innovative ideas after feeling ostracised by the academic environment.⁵ At the American College of Cardiology Scientific Session in 2012, Dr Colombo was dubbed a “Legend in Cardiovascular Disease.”²