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Pavarotti Widow Sues 2 Friends

Accuses Maestro's pals of defamation for remarks about her marriage, character

By Caroline Zimmerman,  Newser User

Posted Nov 26, 2007 5:00 PM CST

(Newser) – Luciano Pavarotti's widow is suing two of her late husband's close friends for $44 million over what she terms defamatory remarks about her marriage and character. Nicoletta Mantovani claims they began "feeding the media with rumors" after the maestro died of cancer in September. The duo publicly claimed Pavarotti complained of his wife's obsession with money and her tendency to isolate him.

"She comes over with documents I'm supposed to sign," one friend quoted Pavarotti as saying. The accused include the wife of the singer's nutritionist and the wife of a famous conductor. They have quieted since the lawsuit began, and haven't been available for comment, AP reports. Pavarotti had a 4-year-old daughter with Mantovani.

In this handout photo provided by the press office of RAI talk show Che tempo che fa (What weather it is), Nicoletta Mantovani, right, widow of Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti, is interviewed by host Fabio Fazio, Milan, Italy, Saturday, Oct. 27, 2007. (AP Photo/Courtesy of Che tempo che faRAI tre,...
In this handout photo provided by the press office of RAI talk show "Che tempo che fa" (What weather it is), Nicoletta Mantovani, right, widow of Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti, is interviewed by host...   (Associated Press)
The coffin of late Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti leaves the Modena's Duomo, Italy, after the funeral service, Saturday, Sept. 8, 2007. Pavarotti, whose vibrant high Cs and ebullient showmanship made him the most beloved and celebrated tenor since Caruso and one of the few opera singers to win crossover fame...
The coffin of late Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti leaves the Modena's Duomo, Italy, after the funeral service, Saturday, Sept. 8, 2007. Pavarotti, whose vibrant high "Cs" and ebullient showmanship made...   (Associated Press)
Italian opera singer Luciano Pavarotti and his bride Nicoletta Mantovani smile after their wedding at Modena's Teatro Comunale, northern Italy in this Dec. 13, 2003, file photo. Mantovani has filed a lawsuit against two friends of the late tenor seeking damages for $44 million, saying she has been defamed by...
Italian opera singer Luciano Pavarotti and his bride Nicoletta Mantovani smile after their wedding at Modena's Teatro Comunale, northern Italy in this Dec. 13, 2003, file photo. Mantovani has filed a...   (Associated Press)
Nicoletta Mantovani, widow of tenor Luciano Pavarotti, accompanies his coffin at the cemetery of Montale, near Modena, Italy, in this Sept. 8, 2007 file photo. Mantovani has filed a lawsuit against two friends of the late tenor seeking damages for $44 million, saying she has been defamed by their comments...
Nicoletta Mantovani, widow of tenor Luciano Pavarotti, accompanies his coffin at the cemetery of Montale, near Modena, Italy, in this Sept. 8, 2007 file photo. Mantovani has filed a lawsuit against two...   (Associated Press)
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