Nicoletta Mantovani Pavarotti guests on the Italian television show 'Che Tempo Che Fa'. Milan, Italy - 27.10.07

Nicoletta Mantovani is adamant the rumoured altercations between herself and the tenor's three daughters is merely a media fabrication, and the singer "took care of everybody" in his will.

Mantovani was the subject of much controversy after it was revealed Pavarotti left half of his estate to his widow, and the remaining half to his children.

But in her first interview since Pavarotti's death, she says, "I'm here and can defend myself. But Luciano can't, and Alice (the couple's daughter) is a four-year-old child.

"I owe it to the two people closest to me. Luciano was someone who took care of everything in every sense... meaning he left enough for everyone.

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

Mantovani also confirmed recent reports she suffers from multiple sclerosis (MS), a condition which affects the body's central nervous system.

Pavarotti died after a battle with pancreatic cancer on 6 September (07).

Source: WENN