MADRID – A paternity test has disproved a Spanish woman’s claim that she is the daughter of surrealist artist Salvador Dalí, the deceased painter’s foundation announced Wednesday.
The Gala-Salvador Dalí Foundation said in a written statement that the Madrid court that ordered the DNA test informed it that Pilar Abel, a 61-year-old tarot card reader, has no biological relationship with Dalí.
Abel has long alleged her mother had an affair with Dalí and claimed she had the right to part of his vast estate. The foundation said it was happy the “absurd” claim had been resolved.
Calls to Abel’s lawyer rang unanswered.
A judicial spokesman told a news agency the court has not made the test results public but has informed the parties in the lawsuit. He spoke on condition of anonymity in accordance with court rules.
The high-profile paternity claim led to the exhumation of Dalí’s embalmed remains so genetic samples could be taken. Forensic experts removed hair, nails and two long bones in July.
The foundation, which manages Dalí’s estate on behalf of the Spanish state, said at the time of the exhumation that Dalí’s remains — including his famous mustache — were well-preserved and mummified after an embalming process almost three decades ago.
The foundation said the painter’s remains will be returned to his coffin, which is buried in the Dalí Museum Theater in the northeastern Spanish town of Figueres, Dalí’s birthplace. Dalí died at age 84 in 1989.
Abel claimed her mother had an affair with Dalí while working as a domestic helper in Figueres. She said her grandmother revealed the family secret when Abel was still young and that her mother confirmed the story years later.
ARITZ PARRA
