Opera singer Irma Capece Minutolo – the lover of the last Egyptian king – dies at the age of 87

Opera singer Irma Capece Minutolo, lover of exiled King Farouk I of Egypt, has died aged 87.

Minutolo, who was born in Naples on August 6, 1935 and died on June 7, 2023, had quite a successful career in Italian opera – but to many she was better known for claiming to be Farouk’s widow.

Playboy Farouk, who reigned from 1936 to 1952, is considered by some to be Egypt’s de facto last king, as he was forced to abdicate in favor of his infant son Fuad II, who was deposed in less than a year when the country became a republic became. .

He was living in exile in Naples — after his second wife, Queen Narriman, filed for divorce — when he came across teenage Minutolo, the newly crowned Miss Naples, on a diving board dressed in a striking bikini, according to The Telegraph.

She recalled being impressed by the king, who spoke good Italian and was fluent in English, French and German. Speaking to Al-Ahram Weekly in 2005, she reportedly claimed that the two also met when she was 11, though when urged to say how, she declined to give more details about the early encounters.

She told the newspaper: ‘When I first saw Farouk I was 11 years old. We got married when I was 16.’ Catholic Minutolo claimed the couple had married in an Islamic ceremony and lived together for eight years.

But years before, in 1954, she insisted, “I’d rather not get married. Farouk is wise and tender, but marriage is the tomb of love.’

She also avoided commenting on the other women in the playboy King’s life, simply saying that he had “a lot of female friends.”

Farouk’s biographer, William Stadiem, reportedly claimed that Minutolo’s parents initially disapproved of the king’s relationship with their daughter. However, when the former ruler offered them some money, they were thought to have changed their mind.

The exiled monarch also helped launch his lover’s singing career by renting out the exclusive Naples Artists Club in 1963 for her to perform.

However, after a minute on stage, the lights went out, leaving 300 guests screaming or laughing at the situation, according to The Telegraph.

The pianist’s sheet music also caught fire and the Italian opera singer, known professionally by some as Imra Di Canosa, quickly became commonplace entertainment for critics to criticize.

Farouk died of a heart attack in 1965. He had dined with another young woman before his death, and despite being his mistress for at least ten years, Minutolo was not included in his will.

Minutolo, who was born in Naples on August 6, 1935 and died on June 7, 2023, had quite a successful career in Italian opera – but to many she was better known for claiming to be Farouk’s widow.

Playboy Farouk (pictured right with Minutolo in 1954), who reigned from 1936 to 1952, is regarded by some as the last king of Egypt as he was forced to abdicate in favor of his infant son Fuad II, who died in less than a year when the country became a republic

He was living in exile in Naples – after his second wife, Queen Narriman, filed for divorce – when he came across the teenage Minutolo (pictured together in 1954), the newly crowned Miss Naples, on a diving board, wearing a striking bikini

However, she attended his funeral at the Verano Cemetery in Rome, along with his first wife, Queen Farida.

Her opera career soon took a successful turn and she eventually received the Maria Callas Prize and performed in Milan and Florence. She also starred in films such as Young Toscanini (1988) starring Elizabeth Taylor.

The singer – who never married anyone else and eventually ran a singing school in Rome – claimed to be a princess even before her so-called marriage to the king. Minutolo’s claim that they were married has never been officially confirmed.

She told Al-Ahram Weekly that she was Princess of Canosa, a descendant of the ancient Neapolitan Capece-Minutolo family.

Minutolo reportedly even sued two Italian journalists who claimed her father was a driver. However, the outcome of the case is unknown.

She recalled being in awe of the king (pictured together in 1954), who spoke good Italian and was fluent in English, French and German. Speaking to Al-Ahram Weekly in 2005, she reportedly claimed that the two also met when she was 11, though when urged to say how, she declined to give more details about the early encounters.

Farouk’s biographer, William Stadiem, reportedly claimed that Minutolo’s parents initially disapproved of the king’s relationship with their daughter. However, when the former ruler offered them some money, they were thought to have changed their minds

Farouk’s full title was ‘His Majesty Farouk I, by the Grace of God, King of Egypt and the Sudan, Sovereign of Nubia, of Kordophan and of Darfur’.

He succeeded his father, Fuad I, to the throne in 1936 when he was only 16 years old.

Though he owned dozens of palaces and hundreds of cars, Farouk was a notorious thief who allegedly stole a ceremonial sword belonging to the Shah of Iran and a pocket watch belonging to Winston Churchill.

His penchant for thievery and extravagance sparked the coup d’état that removed him from power in 1952. Weighing over 300 pounds — unkindly described as “a stomach with a head” — he died in Rome on March 18, 1965, after a characteristically heavy dinner.