When it comes to opera, millions of people immediately think of Luciano Pavarotti – the man with the white scarf, the gentle smile and the voice that made the world quiet. But behind the stage lights was a life full of turmoil: divorce, illness, financial scandal and lingering disputes over his will. He died in 2007 of pancreatic cancer, leaving behind not only a great musical legacy but also unanswered questions. Who was the last woman to hold his hand? Where are his children now? His life, like a great opera, ended quietly but the echoes will never fade.

When it comes to opera, the first image that comes to mind for many is Luciano Pavarotti.

This Italian tenor not only conquered the classical world but also made a spectacular breakthrough when reaching popular music – all thanks to his gifted voice and captivating stage presence.

Dubbed the “King of the High C”, Pavarotti is one of the greatest tenors in history, possessing global influence for decades.

The moment he sang an emotional duet with George Michael on “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me”, or when Aretha Franklin unexpectedly took over singing “Nessun Dorma” at the Grammy Awards because Pavarotti suddenly fell ill – both became legendary.

With the Three Tenors, Pavarotti further expanded his influence on the general public, especially after his classic performance at the 1990 World Cup. His performance of “Nessun Dorma” quickly became an irreplaceable icon.

He has sold more than 100 million records, of which the first album of the Three Tenors is the best-selling classical music product of all time.

In addition to being an artist, Pavarotti is also an active activist for humanitarian organizations such as the Red Cross, and often collaborates with many artists from all musical genres.

Luciano Pavarotti was born in 1935 in a suburb near the city of Modena, Northern Italy.

His father was Fernando Pavarotti – a baker with a beautiful tenor voice but did not pursue a singing career because he was too shy. His mother, Adele Venturi, worked in a cigar factory. The family lived in poverty, crammed into a small two-room apartment.

Before becoming the greatest tenor of the century, Luciano Pavarotti had another dream: to become a football goalkeeper.

But fate called him in a different way. After giving up the football field, the young man from Modena spent the next seven years diligently practicing his voice. His first musical inspiration came from his father’s records – all of which featured famous tenors such as Beniamino Gigli, Giovanni Martinelli, Tito Schipa and Enrico Caruso.

In 1954, at the age of 19, Pavarotti officially entered the professional singing path under the guidance of Arrigo Pola – a famous tenor singer and lecturer in Modena.

Just a year later, Pavarotti joined his father in the Corale Rossini men’s choir. And then the miracle happened: the group won first prize at the International Eisteddfod in Wales. He later said it was “the most important experience of his life” – a moment that shaped his entire career.

On his personal life – the lows and the highs

Pavarotti was married twice. His first wife was Adua Veroni – a love he had for nearly 40 years, from 1961 to 2000. He later fell in love with his personal assistant, Nicoletta Mantovani, and they married in December 2003.

He had four daughters. Three – Lorenza, Cristina and Giuliana – were from his first marriage. With Nicoletta, he had his youngest daughter, Alice. She had a twin brother, Riccardo, but unfortunately he died shortly after birth due to pregnancy complications.

Pavarotti once said that being a father is a role that no stage can compare to.

A sad end for the immortal singer

While on his farewell world tour, Pavarotti was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in July 2006. Despite undergoing major surgery, he died at his home in Modena on September 6, 2007, aged 71.

His manager, Terri Robson, said emotionally after the funeral:

“The Maestro fought as hard and as resiliently as he lived and sang. Despite his increasingly serious illness, he maintained a positive spirit until the very end.”

His funeral took place solemnly at Modena Cathedral, with the presence of Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi and former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. In the sky above, the Frecce Tricolori aerobatic team – the pride of the Italian Air Force – flew the tricolor flag to bid farewell to the legend.