Overview
- First‑instance judges in Rome recognized Francesca Michelon as Stefano D’Orazio’s daughter via DNA, annulled his will, split the estate 50–50 with the widow, and awarded her €60,000 in existential damages, which remains unpaid pending appeal.
- Tiziana Giardoni has appealed seeking to assign Michelon only the reserved one‑third share under Italian succession law, with the Court of Appeal of Rome expected to rule shortly.
- Giardoni told Corriere della Sera that there is no new damages request in the appeal and that the €100,000 claim for existential harm was already filed in first instance.
- The widow and her lawyers contend that difficult relations with Michelon caused psychological distress for D’Orazio and describe him as feeling like a “bancomat,” assertions that Michelon rejects.
- Michelon says she launched the case in 2014 to establish paternity rather than for financial gain, while reports note estate assets such as a Pantelleria villa and Rome property without a confirmed total valuation.