What leadership role did Christopher J. Marangi assume at GAMCO related to GAB?

On March 22, 2026, Christopher J. Marangi was named President of GAMCO Investors, Inc. He also serves as a Co-Chief Investment Officer of the Gabelli Value team, helping oversee both firm-level operations and the investment process for The Gabelli Equity Trust.

Key manager update at Gabelli Equity Trust (NYSE: GAB) as succession plan takes effect

Filing Impact

(Moderate)

Filing Sentiment

(Neutral)

Form Type

8-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc. reported that Mario J. Gabelli, the Fund’s Trustee, Chairman and Chief Investment Officer, was hospitalized for observation and testing after a medical incident on March 19, 2026. His condition is described as improving and he is on the road to recovery, though his return date is not yet known.

On March 22, 2026, GAMCO Investors, Inc., the parent of the Fund’s adviser, implemented its long-standing succession plan and named Christopher J. Marangi as President of GAMCO. Day-to-day operations at GAMCO will continue under co-CEO Douglas R. Jamieson and Christopher J. Marangi, while the Fund’s portfolio is being led by Gabelli Value team Co-Chief Investment Officers Kevin V. Dreyer and Christopher J. Marangi during Mr. Gabelli’s absence.

Insights

Key manager hospitalized; succession plan activated to maintain continuity.

The report highlights that Mario J. Gabelli, a central investment figure, is recovering from a March 19, 2026 medical incident and is temporarily absent. In asset-management businesses, such key-person events can matter, but here a pre-established succession plan has already been implemented.

GAMCO named Christopher J. Marangi as President and reaffirmed that daily operations are led by co-CEO Douglas R. Jamieson and Mr. Marangi. The Fund’s portfolio management is handled by Co-Chief Investment Officers Kevin V. Dreyer and Mr. Marangi, indicating continuity of the existing value team approach.

Overall, the disclosure formalizes leadership arrangements during Mr. Gabelli’s absence without signaling a strategic shift. Future company communications may update investors on his status, but based on the information provided this appears to be a planned transition response rather than a structural change.

8-K Event Classification

2 items: 8.01, 9.01

2 items

Item 8.01 Other Events Other

Voluntary disclosure of events the company deems important to shareholders but not covered by other items.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits Exhibits

Financial statements, pro forma financial information, and exhibit attachments filed with this report.

Key Figures

Medical incident date: March 19, 2026 Succession plan implementation date: March 22, 2026 Filing date: May 7, 2026

3 metrics

Medical incident date March 19, 2026 Date of Mario J. Gabelli’s medical incident

Succession plan implementation date March 22, 2026 Date GAMCO implemented its succession plan and named a new President

Filing date May 7, 2026 Date of the current report by The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc.

Key Terms

succession plan, Chief Investment Officer, Co-Chief Executive Officer, Registration Statement

4 terms

succession plan financial

"On March 22, 2026, GAMCO, the parent company of the Fund’s adviser, Gabelli Funds, LLC (the “Adviser”), implemented GAMCO’s succession plan that has been in place for several years."

Chief Investment Officer financial

"Mario J. Gabelli (“Mr. Gabelli”), Trustee, Chairman and Chief Investment Officer of the Fund, and Chairman, Co-Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Investment Officer – Value Portfolios of GAMCO Investors, Inc."

A chief investment officer (CIO) is the person responsible for managing a company or organization’s investments and financial strategies. They make key decisions about where to put money to help grow wealth or achieve financial goals, much like a coach plans a team’s game strategy. Their work matters to investors because it influences how effectively an organization’s assets are used to generate returns.

Co-Chief Executive Officer financial

"Chairman, Co-Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Investment Officer – Value Portfolios of GAMCO Investors, Inc."

Registration Statement regulatory

"The Fund incorporates the information included in this Item 8.01 by reference into its effective Registration Statement."

A registration statement is a formal document that companies file with a government agency to offer new shares of stock to the public. It provides essential information about the company's finances, operations, and risks, helping investors make informed decisions. Think of it as a detailed product description that ensures transparency and trust before buying into a company.

Understanding 8-K Material Events →

05/07/2026 - 05:06 PM

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) May 7, 2026

The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Maryland

811-004700

22-2736509

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

(Commission

File Number)

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

One Corporate Center, Rye, New York		10580
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

Registrants telephone number, including area code (800) 422-3554

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

	☐	Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
	☐	Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
	☐	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
	☐	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock	GAB	New York Stock Exchange
Series G Cumulative Preferred Stock	GAB Pr G	New York Stock Exchange
Series H Cumulative Preferred Stock	GAB Pr H	New York Stock Exchange
Series K Cumulative Preferred Stock	GAB Pr K	New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

☐ Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Item 8.01.

Other Events

As previously announced by GAMCO Investors, Inc. (“GAMCO”) on March 23, 2026, Mario J. Gabelli (“Mr. Gabelli”), Trustee, Chairman and Chief Investment Officer of the Fund, and Chairman, Co-Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Investment Officer – Value Portfolios of GAMCO Investors, Inc. and Chief Investment Officer – Value Portfolios of Gabelli Funds, LLC and GAMCO Asset Management, Inc., was admitted to the hospital for observation and testing after a medical incident March 19, 2026, following a busy day of events around New York City. His condition is improving and he is on the road to recovery, but the timeline for his return is not yet known.

On March 22, 2026, GAMCO, the parent company of the Fund’s adviser, Gabelli Funds, LLC (the “Adviser”), implemented GAMCO’s succession plan that has been in place for several years. In accordance with that plan, Christopher J. Marangi was named President of GAMCO on March 22, 2026.

While the timeline for Mr. Gabelli’s return remains undetermined, the day-to-day operations of GAMCO will continue to be led by co-CEO, Douglas R. Jamieson, and Christopher J. Marangi.

The Gabelli Value team Co-Chief Investment Officers Kevin V. Dreyer and Christopher J. Marangi lead the portfolio management team for the Fund during Mr. Gabelli’s absence.

The Fund incorporates the information included in this Item 8.01 by reference into its effective Registration Statement.

Item 9.01

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)

Exhibits

104

Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	THE GABELLI EQUITY TRUST INC.

Date: May 7, 2026	By:	/s/ John C. Ball
	Name:	John C. Ball
	Title:	President and Treasurer

Source: View Original Filing on SEC EDGAR

FAQ

What did The Gabelli Equity Trust (GAB) report about Mario J. Gabelli’s health?

The Gabelli Equity Trust reported that Mario J. Gabelli was hospitalized after a medical incident on March 19, 2026. The company states his condition is improving and that he is on the road to recovery, though the timing of his return is not yet known.

How is GAMCO’s succession plan affecting The Gabelli Equity Trust (GAB)?

GAMCO implemented its long-standing succession plan on March 22, 2026, naming Christopher J. Marangi as President. Day-to-day operations are led by co-CEO Douglas R. Jamieson and Mr. Marangi, supporting continuity for the adviser serving The Gabelli Equity Trust.

Who is managing The Gabelli Equity Trust (GAB) portfolio during Mario J. Gabelli’s absence?

During Mario J. Gabelli’s absence, the Fund’s portfolio management is led by Gabelli Value team Co-Chief Investment Officers Kevin V. Dreyer and Christopher J. Marangi. This structure uses existing senior investment personnel rather than introducing a new, external portfolio manager.

Does this update change The Gabelli Equity Trust (GAB) adviser relationship?

The update does not change the adviser relationship. The Fund continues to be advised by Gabelli Funds, LLC, a GAMCO subsidiary. GAMCO implemented its succession plan at the parent level to clarify leadership and portfolio management responsibilities during Mario J. Gabelli’s absence.

How is this information used in The Gabelli Equity Trust (GAB) regulatory filings?

The Gabelli Equity Trust states that the information about leadership and portfolio management during Mario J. Gabelli’s absence is incorporated by reference into its effective registration statement. This ensures investors reviewing offering documents see the same leadership disclosure.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

4 documents

Key manager update at Gabelli Equity Trust (NYSE: GAB) as succession plan takes effect

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Positive

Negative