Lawyer says Pavarotti split estate

Luciano Pavarotti left half his estate to his second wife and half to his four daughters, including three from his first marriage, an attorney said Tuesday.

In the final months of his yearlong battle with pancreatic cancer, Pavarotti made two wills, said attorney Giorgio Bernini, who represents the singer’s second wife. One dated June 13 divides up his assets according to Italian law, with half going to his wife, Nicoletta Mantovani, and half to his children.

The second, dated July 29, elaborates on the first and concerns the tenor’s U.S. holdings, which he entrusted to Mantovani, Bernini said.

Two of Pavarotti’s friends will get $693,350 each “for their affection and loyal assistance,” Bernini said in a telephone interview, quoting from the will. Italian news reports have identified the two as Pavarotti’s assistant, Edwin Tinoco, and his companion Veronica Zeggio.

The lawyer declined to give details on the overall value of Pavarotti’s estate. It also wasn’t clear how Pavarotti’s commercial interests, including royalties from sales of his music, have been handled.