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Pavarotti's Widow Denounces Gossip

By NICOLE WINFIELD,

Posted: 2007-10-28 11:40:19

ROME (Oct. 28) - Luciano Pavarotti's widow denounced the "unseemly" gossip swirling in the Italian media alleging financial and family problems, saying Saturday she felt compelled to set the record straight for the sake of their young daughter.

Nicoletta Mantovani appeared on RAI state television, granting her first interview since the Sept. 6 death of the great Italian tenor.

Photo Gallery: Dispelling Rumors

RAI / AP

Nicoletta Mantovani, widow of Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti, went on Italian television on to address "unseemly" rumors that have circulated since his death.

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She set out to publicly defend herself and Pavarotti against a series of Italian media reports alleging that Pavarotti had left her $26 million in debt, that she was fighting with his daughters from his first marriage over his will and that their marriage had been on the rocks before he died.

She denied Pavarotti had left her in debt, or that she was squabbling with his three adult daughters over the terms of his will. Pavarotti left half of his estate to Mantovani and half to his four daughters.

"Luciano was someone who took care of everything in every sense. He took care of the affective side and the material side, meaning he left enough for everyone," she said.

She stressed: "Between me and his daughters, there is no disagreement."

'Nessun Dorma'
From 'Turandot'

'Che Gelida Manina'
From 'La Bohème'

"The press and television that is trying to incriminate that relationship is truly unseemly," she said.

Mantovani said she had never imagined that she would go on TV to discuss such personal issues, but that she felt obliged to set the record straight because Pavarotti could no longer do so himself and because their 4-year-old daughter, Alice, would one day want to learn more about her father.

"I owe it to the two people closest to me," Mantovani said. "If they insult me, it can pass with patience, I'm here and can defend myself. But Luciano can't, and Alice is a 4-year-old child."

She said she wanted to leave Alice with solid evidence that she had defended herself and Pavarotti from the gossip — much of it attributed to friends of the tenor — adding that she was recording the session at home so Alice could watch it one day.

Pavarotti was beloved by generations of opera-goers and pop fans alike for his breathtaking high Cs, hearty renditions of popular folk songs like "O Sole Mio" and collaborations with singers such as Bono, Elton John and the Spice Girls.

Mantovani also confirmed media reports that she has multiple sclerosis, saying that while she had kept the condition private for 13 years, she did not want it to appear that she was ashamed of it.

She recalled that when she told Pavarotti of her diagnosis — just six months into their 13-year relationship — she told him that she did not want to weigh him down with her treatments.

"He told me: 'Last night I loved you. Today, I adore you.'"

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

2007-10-28 09:21:15

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29 comments

Joetracy2007b 05:36:00 AM Oct 30 2007

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Why not leave her alone?Jealous of her? I only care that she is dating a good-looking guy on millionaire dating site WealthyRomance.com. It seems she has a major crush on young guys!

cassidyluck10 02:50:00 AM Oct 30 2007

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WHy do you people insist on beating everyone down you never know what goes on behind closed doors....and why should you care, just pay your respects to his life and family and move on dont kick them when their down...

SwtAngel2Steve 01:41:00 AM Oct 30 2007

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I just cant believe some of you....it is so easy to sit here and talk crap about someone elses lives living or not....you all need to remember that no one should throw stones or judge anyone....none of you would like it if people went around talking and putting you down about your life....what he did in his life was his business...and i dont care who the person is and if they want to have children at what ever age that is there choice as well....leave that family alone and let the poor man rest in peace....

titanfx 08:30:00 PM Oct 29 2007

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YEAH im sure LUCIANOS first 3 daughters LOVE daddys "late in life" bundle of joy...wouldnt that make you mad?.....i can see it now when PAVORATTI told his daughters about the expectant event...DAUGHTERS--i have bad news..and poor news....the bad news is i knocked up someone---the poor news is your not gonna be as rich by 25 percent...YEAH, bet that went over GREAT....

titanfx 08:24:00 PM Oct 29 2007

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Pavoratti could carry a tune---but COULDNT CARRY A CONDOM?....RIDICULOUS

titanfx 08:23:00 PM Oct 29 2007

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SHE probably wanted to name her baby Dollar Signs Pavarotti....OR Mommastrustfund Pavarotti...lol

titanfx 08:20:00 PM Oct 29 2007

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IM SORRY---but any OLD FOOL who keeps having babies past his 60s--"celebrity" or not---IS UTTERLY RIDICULOUS...havent these men ever heard of "BABY TRAP"...MORONS

britneyped4 03:00:06 PM Oct 29 2007

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I dont know much about Pavarotis' personal life, but I think his children and wives are fighting over the retained wills from Pavaroti.
Actually, most of them were granted to Charity cares and the rest will be for his four daughters and the latest wife with her child.
Why do people scare each other, when it comes to the will from the deceased ??
Its not the Lawyers fault, nor the owners dow, it must be the survivors unlimited demand for the retains.
In my case, I have so many will of inheritance, but him or her gave me a visit as how it would be done and how it must be given !!! Happy Halloween Night Guys !!!

VictoriaCoventry 11:28:33 AM Oct 29 2007

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These old geezers are always leaving the wife who suffered with them during the broke years for a younger woman once they are rich and famous. I hope his ex-wife got a big settlement from the divorce to compensate for the hurt he must have caused her when he left her for a younger woman.

csmith21century 11:26:09 AM Oct 29 2007

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Well, shut my mouth!

VictoriaCoventry 11:25:25 AM Oct 29 2007

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What these younger women see in these old geezers is beyond me. It has got to me their money and fame. I could never ever willing have sex with a man old enough to be my father or grandfather. The very thought is so replusive! Yuck!

massolds56 01:05:17 AM Oct 29 2007

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All I can say is that I just heard that he had passed away and that we have all lost another of the Great's(Actors,Singers, Comedy) and wish to give my belated condolences to his family.

bracca 12:04:19 AM Oct 29 2007

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There is no shame. There was no shame to take a man from his wife and family, there was no shame in making a public spectacle with this announcement. There is no fool like an old fool. This is the result.