Pavarotti widow hits out at media

Mantovani said she "owed it to the people closest to me" to speak out

Nicoletta Mantovani, the widow of tenor Luciano Pavarotti, has spoken out at the Italian media's "unseemly" gossip alleging financial and family problems.

Ms Mantovani told Italy's RAI state TV she was giving the interview for the sake of her daughter, Alice, aged four.

She denied being left in debt or that she was squabbling with his three adult daughters over his will.

"I'm here and can defend myself. But Luciano can't, and Alice is a four-year-old child," she said.

"I owe it to the two people closest to me," she added, in her first interview since his death last month.

Pavarotti died at his home in Modena, Italy

Pavarotti, who died aged 71, left half of his estate to Mantovani, his former personal assistant, and half to his four daughters.

Ms Mantovani, 37, said she wanted to leave her daughter with solid evidence she had defended herself and Pavarotti from press gossip.

It has been reported in the Italian media that she was left £12.6m in debt and that their marriage had been on the rocks before he died.

"Luciano was someone who took care of everything in every sense... meaning he left enough for everyone," she said.

"Between me and his daughters, there is no disagreement," she added. "The press and television that is trying to incriminate that relationship is truly unseemly."

Multiple sclerosis

She added she had never imagined discussing such personal issues on television but had felt compelled to speak out, and was recording the interview so Alice could watch it when she was older.

During the interview she also confirmed she has multiple sclerosis, following reports that she has the condition.

She had kept the condition private for 13 years, but said she did not want to appear ashamed of it.

Pavarotti was famed for helping to popularise opera, particularly through his signature tune, Nessun Dorma, which became associated with the 1990 World Cup.

His performances with Placido Domingo and Jose Carerras at this time - in the Three Tenors concerts - were seen around the world.

The singer died at his home in Modena, northern Italy, having being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2006.