In 2015, a Spanish astrologist and tarot reader named Pilar Abel announced that she believes she is the daughter of the iconic surrealist artist Salvador Dalí. And 28 years after the artist’s death in 1989, Abel filed a paternity suit to be sure.
According to a report from the BBC on Monday morning, a judge in Madrid has now agreed to exhume Dalí’s remains to get DNA samples for a paternity test, after earlier tests using “secondary sources” of the artist’s DNA proved inconclusive.
Abel’s mother, Antonia Martínez de Haro, worked in the home of a family who often vacationed in the Spanish fishing village Port Lligat, where Dalí also had a house. Abel explained in documents presented to a Madrid court that the two “had a friendship that developed into clandestine love.”
At the time, Dalí was married to Gala, born Elena Ivanovna Diakonova, who inspired and appeared in many of the artist’s works. According to legend, Dalí was a virgin when they wed and encouraged Gala to have affairs with other artists and intellectuals. The couple never had children.
(Photo: Hulton Deutsch via Getty Images)
Abel, who was born in 1956, was first told that Dalí was her father when she was 8 years old, by her grandmother. According to The New York Times, when she asked her mother about the assertion, “she told me yes, but that she didn’t want to throw stones on her own grave.”
In 2007 Abel sought to verify the claim with a DNA test, which was executed by American toxicologist Michael F. Rieders using gastric tubes that had been used to feed Dalí during a 1984 hospitalization. The results were inconclusive, which Rieders attributed to the “secondary” nature of the DNA. For certain answers, he suggested, Abel would need direct access to Dalí’s remains.
Bueno Celdrán is the lawyer currently assisting Abel in her case. He previously represented a waiter named Albert Solà who insisted his father was former Spanish king Juan Carlos. The paternity suit was unsuccessful.
In a 2015 interview with the NYT, Abel said she hoped the lawsuit delivers recognition of her father’s true identity, and “after that, whatever corresponds to me.” She is likely referring to Dalí’s estate, which was donated to the Spanish Kingdom following his death. It is worth approximately $325 million.
Along with the substantial amount of money at stake, Abel seeks a connection with the man she believes to be her father. She has frequently referenced her physical resemblance to the surrealist master. “The only thing I am missing is the moustache,” she often says.
In this photo taken Monday, Nov. 19, 2012, a visitor stands in the 'Mae West, 1934' room by Spanish artist Salvador Dali (1904-1989) during the presentation to the press of the exhibition "Dali" at the Centre Pompidou modern art museum, in Paris. A major retrospective of Salvador Dali in Paris aims to rewrite the art history books, reconciling for the first time the last decades of his life _ when he was accused of money-making self-publicity through numerous television appearances _ with his earlier, respected Surrealist period. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)
A man looks at a painting entitled 'The Great Masturbator' (1929) by Spanish surrealist artist Salvador Dali during the exhibition 'Dali. All of the poetic suggestions and all of the plastic possibilities' at the Reina Sofia museum in Madrid on April 25, 2013. (JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images)
Two women look at a painting entitled 'Autoportrait' (1972) by Spanish surrealist artist Salvador Dali during the exhibition 'Dali. All of the poetic suggestions and all of the plastic possibilities' at the Reina Sofia museum in Madrid on April 25, 2013. (JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images)
'Nu dan la Plaine de Rosas' by Salvador Dali is on display at Christie's during a preview of Christie's Impressionist and Modern Art Sale in New York, October 29, 2009. Christie's is scheduled to hold its Impressionist and Modern Art Sale on November 03, 2009. (EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images)
Visitors speak near an untitled painting by Salvador Dali at Christie’s Moscow Exhibition of International Auction Highlights, on April 11, 2012. Christie’s Moscow opened today its 17th exhibition in the Russia capital to preview highlights from its forthcoming international auctions. (ALEXANDER NEMENOV/AFP/Getty Images)
A visitor looks at a painting entitled 'Monument imperial à la femme-enfant' (Imperial Monument to the Child Woman) by Spanish surrealist artist Salvador Dali's during an exhibition devoted to his work at the Centre Pompidou contemporary art center (aka Beaubourg) on November 19, 2012 in Paris. More than 30 years after the first retrospective in 1979, the event gathers more than 200 art pieces and runs until March 13, 2013. (FRANCOIS GUILLOT/AFP/Getty Images)
A visitor looks at paintings by Spanish surrealist artist Salvador Dali's during an exhibition devoted to his work at the Centre Pompidou contopary art center (aka Beaubourg) on November 19, 2012 in Paris. More than 30 years after the first retrospective in 1979, the event gathers more than 200 art pieces and runs until March 13, 2013. (LtoR) 'Pierrot Playing the Guitar' and 'Still Life by Moonlight'. (FRANCOIS GUILLOT/AFP/Getty Images)
A visitor looks at a painting entitled 'Peche au thon' (Tuna Fishing ) by Spanish surrealist artist Salvador Dali during an exhibition devoted to his work at the Centre Pompidou contemporary art center (aka Beaubourg) on November 19, 2012 in Paris. More than 30 years after the first retrospective in 1979, the event gathers more than 200 art pieces and runs until March 13, 2013. (FRANCOIS GUILLOT/AFP/Getty Images)
An art piece entitled 'Venus de Milo aux tiroirs' (Venus de Milo with Drawers) by Spanish surrealist artist Salvador Dali is displayed during an exhibition devoted to his work at the Centre Pompidou art center (aka Beaubourg) on November 19, 2012 in Paris. More than 30 years after the first retrospective in 1979, the event gathers more than 200 art pieces and runs until March 13, 2013. (FRANCOIS GUILLOT/AFP/Getty Images)
A visitor looks at a painting entitled 'Le visage de la guerre' (The face of war') (1940) by Spanish surrealist artist Salvador Dali during an exhibition devoted to his work at the Centre Pompidou contemporary art center (aka Beaubourg) on November 19, 2012 in Paris. More than 30 years after the first retrospective in 1979, the event gathers more than 200 art pieces and runs until March 13, 2013. (FRANCOIS GUILLOT/AFP/Getty Images)
A visitor looks at a painting entitled 'Apparition d'un visage et d'un compotier sur une plage' (Apparition of Face and Fruit Dish on a Beach) by Spanish surrealist artist Salvador Dali during an exhibition devoted to his work at the Centre Pompidou contemporary art center (aka Beaubourg) on November 19, 2012 in Paris. More than 30 years after the first retrospective in 1979, the event gathers more than 200 art pieces and runs until March 13, 2013. (FRANCOIS GUILLOT/AFP/Getty Images)
A visitor looks at a painting entitled 'L'enigme sans fin' (Endless enigma) by Spanish surrealist artist Salvador Dali during an exhibition devoted to his work at the Centre Pompidou contemporary art center (aka Beaubourg) on November 19, 2012 in Paris. More than 30 years after the first retrospective in 1979, the event gathers more than 200 art pieces and runs until March 13, 2013. (FRANCOIS GUILLOT/AFP/Getty Images)
A visitor looks at a painting entitled 'Phosphene de Laporte' by Spanish surrealist artist Salvador Dali during an exhibition devoted to his work at the Centre Pompidou contemporary art center (aka Beaubourg) on November 19, 2012 in Paris. More than 30 years after the first retrospective in 1979, the event gathers more than 200 art pieces and runs until March 13, 2013. (FRANCOIS GUILLOT/AFP/Getty Images)
In this photo taken Monday Nov. 19, 2012, the 'Telephone aphrodisiaque, 1938', by Spanish artist Salvador Dali (1904-1989) is displayed in front of a screen showing an interview of the artist during the presentation to the press of the exhibition "Dali" at the Centre Pompidou modern art museum, in Paris. A major retrospective of Salvador Dali in Paris aims to rewrite the art history books, reconciling for the first time the last decades of his life when he was accused of money-making self-publicity through numerous television appearances with his earlier, respected Surrealist period. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)
A woman walks past a sculpture entitled 'Retrospective Bust of a Woman' by Spanish surrealist artist Salvador Dali during the exhibition 'Dali. All of the poetic suggestions and all of the plastic possibilities' at the Reina Sofia museum in Madrid on April 25, 2013. (JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images)
People look at a painting entitled 'The Temptation of St.Anthony' (1946) by Spanish surrealist artist Salvador Dali during the exhibition 'Dali. All of the poetic suggestions and all of the plastic possibilities' at the Reina Sofia museum in Madrid on April 25, 2013. (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images)
In this photo taken Monday Nov. 19, 2012, a women looks at the painting 'Paysage avec jeune fille sautant a la corde, 1936' by Spanish artist Salvador Dali (1904-1989) during the presentation to the press of the exhibition "Dali" at the Centre Pompidou modern art museum, in Paris. A major retrospective of Salvador Dali in Paris aims to rewrite the art history books, reconciling for the first time the last decades of his life when he was accused of money-making self-publicity through numerous television appearances with his earlier, respected Surrealist period. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)
All five of these hitters were drafted highly in fantasy baseball leagues. So far, they have not lived up to their ADPs — and that's an understatement. Scott Pianowski analyzes.
In one scenario, Dallas makes Prescott the highest paid player in NFL history. In another, the Cowboys decline that commitment, at which point another team will make him the top paid player in NFL history.
Budgeting apps can help you keep track of your finances, stick to a spending plan and reach your money goals. These are the best budget-tracking apps available right now.
Affluent Americans may want to double-check how much of their bank deposits are protected by government-backed insurance. The rules governing trust accounts just changed.
