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DNA of surrealist Salvador Dali's exhumed body disproves claim he fathered Spanish woman

Dali’s embalmed body had been exhumed in July to allow for a DNA paternity test.

Salvador Dali Salvador Dali, pictured in 1973 Eustache Cardenas / AP Eustache Cardenas / AP / AP

A PATERNITY TEST has disproved a Spanish woman’s claim that she is the daughter of surrealist artist Salvador Dali, the deceased painter’s foundation has announced.

The Gala-Salvador Dali 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 Dali.

Abel has long alleged her mother had an affair with Dali 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 today were not answered.

A judicial spokesman told the Associated Press that the court has not made the test results public but has informed the parties to the lawsuit. He spoke on condition of anonymity in accordance with court rules.

Pilar Abel Pilar Abel Francisco Seco / AP Francisco Seco / AP / AP

The high-profile paternity claim led to the exhumation of Dali’s embalmed remains so genetic samples could be taken. Forensic experts removed hair, nails and two long bones in July.

The foundation, which manages Dali’s estate on behalf of the Spanish state, said at the time of the exhumation that Dali’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 Dali Museum Theater in the northeastern Spanish town of Figueres, the artist’s birthplace.

Dali died aged 84 in 1989.

Abel claimed her mother had an affair with Dali 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.

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32 Comments
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    Mute Aishling Keogh
    Favourite Aishling Keogh
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    Aug 21st 2012, 4:05 PM

    Niall have some empathy for this mans family, he suffered a horrific death, RIP, my thoughts are with his family at this sad time :(

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    Mute Joan Featherstone
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    Aug 21st 2012, 8:39 PM

    Sorry ‘bad’ taste!

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    Mute Michael Stamp
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    Aug 21st 2012, 9:45 AM

    A surreal and terrible way to die.

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    Mute Lorraine Furlong
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    Aug 21st 2012, 10:13 AM

    Pure Evil , Rip . . . :-(

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    Mute Sean Quigley
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    Aug 21st 2012, 7:44 PM

    sorry man dont get it!! how can she be released and detained at the same time??

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    Mute Edward Carr
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    Aug 21st 2012, 7:50 PM

    Is that necessary Niall?rip walter

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    Mute pip white
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    Aug 21st 2012, 7:45 PM

    It is awful. but his daughter told the newspapers all about it. Is that not worse!

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    Mute Joan Featherstone
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    Aug 21st 2012, 8:39 PM

    Niall, Love a laugh, but that remark was really really taste!

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    Mute Niall
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    Aug 22nd 2012, 1:16 AM

    They removed my comment! :( now that’s censorship! All of you hop off your bloody morality pedestal and realise this mans death is no more or less significant than any other death that is regularly joked about!

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    Mute Emma louise coffey
    Favourite Emma louise coffey
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    Aug 22nd 2012, 2:10 AM

    Strangely enough most people don’t find the death of a person funny… you idiot Neil!

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    Mute Michael Stamp
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    Aug 22nd 2012, 9:52 AM

    Have to agree with Niall. . .There must be respect for the family but it IS an unusual story and one which if it happened abroad would be joked about. The “pure evil” comment is really funny, though. Down with this sort of thing!

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