DNA test shows Spanish tarot card reader is not Salvador Dali's daughter - and won’t share his fortune
The high-profile paternity claim led to the exhumation of Dali’s embalmed remains so genetic samples could be taken
A DNA test on the exhumed remains of Salvador Dali showed he was not the father of a Spanish psychic claiming to be his illegitimate daughter, the Dali Foundation said.
A court had ordered Dali’s exhumation to settle the paternity suit lodged by Pilar Abel, who would have been entitled to a share of his vast fortune if she was found to be the daughter of the Spanish surrealist artist.
Dali’s DNA samples “prove that Pilar Abel is not the biological daughter of Salvador Dali,” the foundation said in a statement, adding this “puts an end to an absurd and artificial controversy”.
“This conclusion comes as no surprise to the Foundation, since at no time has there been any evidence of the veracity of an alleged paternity.”
Forensics experts then removed DNA samples from Dali’s skin, nail and two long bones.